2026/04/03 by Philippe Gillig · 1 voice
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Economic Theory and Institutions #Historical Economic and Legal Thought #Philosophical Ethics and Theory
paper · doi:10.1080/1350178x.2026.2674050
openalex publication_date 2026/04/03 · openalex created_date 2026/06/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
The objective of this paper is to ascertain to what extent the advent of the concept of homo œconomicus results in the marginalization of ethical considerations within the field of economic science. Given that the inventors of the concept of economic man were mostly utilitarians, what is, in particular, the relationship between utilitarianism, on the one hand, and economic science, on the other, in the historical genesis of homo œconomicus? Two key conclusions can be drawn: (1) There is no linear progression toward a more autonomous position with regard to ethical considerations. Edgeworth’s methodology represents a notable attempt to integrate ethics within abstract economics. (2) The history of the interrelationship between utilitarianism and homo œconomicus is intricate and is inextricably linked to the multifaceted nature of utilitarianism.