Neuroeconomics and Identity

John Davis

No 2013-10, Working Papers and Research from Marquette University, Center for Global and Economic Studies and Department of Economics

Abstract: This short paper discusses majority and minority views in economics regarding the value of neuroscience for economics - and thus the value of the neuroeconomics research program. It argues that neuroeconomics' reception ultimately depends on whether economists adopt a philosophy of science thinking closer to what exists in other sciences. It then argues that an inadvertent product of this debate is whether people can be identified as relatively independent agents. The paper concludes with comments on what this debate implies about the conception of the decision-maker as a relatively independent identity.

Keywords: neuroeconomics; philosophy of science; instrumentalism; formalism; decision-maker autonomy; identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A12 B41 D03 D87 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-10
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:mrq:wpaper:2013-10

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