Homo Economicus

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Homo Economicus

A person that desires to maximize his/her needs or desires. Homo economicus is used most of the time to refer to the rational economic actor, who desires wealth, does not desire to work if it can be avoided, and is able to find ways achieve those ends. This assumption is accepted by many economists, especially those who follow rational choice theory, but it remains controversial. The concept of homo economicus was developed by utilitarian thinkers, and contrasts with the constructs of behavioral economics.

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Two gender papers review feminist criticisms of the mainstream concept of the rational economic man and the history of feminist engagement with social reproduction.

Handbook on international political economy

If rational economic man is extinct, as Scientific American argued four years ago, where does that leave economic theory?

Do individuals and businesses behave rationally?

The rational economic man is one who displays a particular personal disposition.

Rational economic man and his dog set out to mow a meadow

Hewitson, Feminist Economics: Interrogating the Masculinity of Rational Economic Man, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar, 1999.

Feminist Economics: Interrogating the Masculinity of Rational Economic Man

Among those myths which need dispelling is the popular contention of the profit motive as the sole or dominating motivation factor directing business activity and the rational economic man model of human nature.