Abstract:
For many centuries religion dominated the thought and behaviour of peoples. From the end of the seventeenth century, however, it was progressively replaced by political economy, which in turn developed its full influence during the nineteenth century, imposing a new 'ethos' and a new 'conduct of life'. So that we might better understand this fact, a Weberian ideal-type is proposed: philosophie économique. Illustrated by the works of Boisguilbert, Quesnay, Turgot and Say, it elaborates three main elements: interested behaviour, sensationism and a specific conception of the 'science of the legislator'.
European Journal of the History of Economic Thought is edited by José Luís Cardoso Editor-Workplace-NameL Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Portugal, Gilbert Faccarello, Heinz D. Kurz and Antoin E. Murphy