Homo Amans: Towards a Relational Anthropology Fostering an Economics of Human Flourishing.

Patrick A. P. Nullens, Jermo Van Nes

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Basic capabilities and human interests that are directed towards the ideal of human flourishing now seem at odds with the concept of Homo economicus as once defined by John Stuart Mill – a rational being pursuing wealth only for his own self-interest. This popular paradigm still dominates economic theory and practice, but a growing group of academics consider its underlying model of human behavior to be inaccurate. As a result, scholars across various disciplines have expressed the need for a more refined anthropology in relation to contemporary economics. In response, the holistic concept of Homo amans as phenomenologically constituted by the virtues of faith, hope, and love is introduced, since multidisciplinary yet complementary study suggests that human persons are questing, expecting, and relational beings. Whether or not Homo amans could serve in the future as a complementary model to Homo economicus remains to be seen, because several aspects of human relationality that are relevant to contemporary economics are in need of future study.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRelational Anthropology for Contemporary Economics, A Multidisciplinary Approach
EditorsPatrick A.P. Nullens, Jermo van Nes, Steven van den Heuvel
PublisherSpringer Open
Pages9-29
Number of pages21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Publication series

NameEthical Economy
Volume61

Bibliographical note

Nullens, Patrick, and Jermo Van Nes. “Homo Amans: Towards a Relational Anthropology Fostering an Economics of Human Flourishing.” In Relational Anthropology for Contemporary Economics, A Multidisciplinary Approach, edited by Jermo Van Nes, et al., Ethical Economy 61. Springer International Publishing, 2022, 9–30.

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