Human Dignity in Christian Thought and Concepts of Human Nature in Economics

Anna Horodecka and Andrzej J. Żuk

European Research Studies Journal, 2025, vol. XXVIII, issue 1, 472-494

Abstract: Purpose: This article aims to analyse the understanding of human dignity in contemporary schools and currents of economic thought. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors, drawing on the rich tradition of the concept developed by Christian thought, have formulated their own concept of human dignity, which served as a basis for analysing various concepts of human nature in economics. Images of human nature play a key role in shaping economic assumptions and enable the creation of theories in this field. In turn, human dignity is inextricably linked to the concept of human nature. Findings: The analyses conducted allowed us to prove the thesis that the perception of human nature concerning its dignity in contemporary schools and currents of economics is heterogeneous. Numerous weaknesses were also demonstrated regarding the perception of human nature and human dignity within the dominant concept of homo oeconomicus. Practical Implications: The concept of human dignity not only arouses considerable interest among theologians and philosophers but also among scholars from other disciplines, including lawyers, historians, sociologists, and psychologists. Originality/Value: It plays a fundamental role in understanding social life and guiding political actions. Since economics is a social science, a question arises as to whether and how it incorporates the issue of human dignity into its theories.

Keywords: Human dignity; concepts of human nature in economics; homo oeconomicus; christian philosophy; Catholic social teaching; heterodox economics; human rationality in economics. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 B59 D01 P16 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxviii:y:2025:i:1:p:472-494

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