The term “human economics” is sometimes used within economic theory with the hope of repositioning economic discipline as a human and social science, but with scarce success. Indeed, although great economists have always carefully considered human nature, it has been largely neglected in modern economics. This book explores the potentials of a human economics, arguing that the complexity and peculiarities of human nature should be central to the study of economics. Complex economic phenomena are subject to laws and limits that reveal their internal order in spite of the apparent randomness and unpredictability. The book embraces the contributions of thinkers and economists who have tried to fully consider human nature and society within their biological environment. From these solid foundations, the book introduces a different Weltanschauung, offers an analysis of socio-economic paradigms, and develops an alternative theoretical framework. On the basis of a transdisciplinary methodology, the book investigates human nature, interactions, and systems up to the macroeconomic cyclical development of the capitalist system. Future perspectives and issues facing modern economies are also discussed from environmental sustainability to globalization and socio-political challenges. This book marks an original contribution to the literature on retooling economic discipline and presents useful food for thought for scholarly readers while remaining accessible to graduates who are studying mainstream economics.
- Introduction
- Economic paradigms: towards human economics
2.1 Truth, facts and science
2.2 A theoretical framework for interpreting economic ideas
2.2.1 Defining paradigms: an overview. Kuhn, Lakatos and beyond
2.2.2 Theoretical phenomena: from critiques to fashions and revolutions
2.2.3 An alternative definition of socio-economic paradigm
2.3 The history of socio-economic paradigms
2.3.1 The dynamics of socio-economic paradigms
2.3.2 Classifying economic schools of thought
2.4 Why human economics?
2.4.1 The internal metaphysics
2.4.2 The role of human factor
3 Methodology and principles of human economics
3.1 In search of an alternative methodology
3.1.1 The Methodenstreit revised
3.1.2 The roots of an ancient debate
3.1.3 The deep meaning of the 3-body problem
3.1.4 The legacy for human economics
3.2 A concepts system for human economics
3.2.1 Set, structures and systems
3.2.2 Oscillations and attractors
3.2.3 Coevolution and cyclicity
3.2.4 Harmony
3.3 Human interactions and systems
3.3.1 From populations to societies
3.3.2 Within and between social groups
3.3.3 Social systems and institutions
3.4 Exploring human’s and system’s nature
3.4.1 The homo symbolicus
3.4.2 Symbolic attractors
3.4.3 Game of shadows
3.4.4 Archetypes, narratives, culture and economics
3.4.5 The spirit of the system
4 Economic systems: genesis, dynamics, and nature
4.1 The economic system
4.1.1 Defining the economic system: theoretical, utopian and real economic systems
4.2 The historical development of economic systems
4.2.1 From ancient to modern economic systems
4.2.2 Ancient capitalism or capitalism as a turning point?
4.2.3 How economic systems evolve
4.2.4 Beyond Western economies and economics
4.3 Capitalist cyclical development
4.3.1 Economic cycles, historical cycles and social change
4.3.2 Economic dynamics and vibratory systems
4.3.3 Stock market cycles: myth or reality?
4.4 A symbolic analysis of the nature of the capitalist system
4.4.1 The synchronic and diachronic dynamic of capitalist spirit
4.4.2 Technology
4.4.3 Gold, money and crypto
4.4.4 Invisible hand
5 Future trajectories
5.1 The rules of systemic apotheosis
5.2 Reinterpreting the challenges of modernity
5.2.1 Nature, environment and rare earths
5.2.2 Capitalism and its society
5.2.3 Power and control
5.3 Quo vadis?
6 Conclusions
Biography
Sara Casagrande is Post-Doc Research Fellow in Comparative European Studies at the University of Trento (Italy).
