Table of Contents
1 Introductory overview
2 The theoretical and metaphysical foundations of sciences
The metaphysical worldview
Physicalism, materialism and naturalism
Practical and instrumental reason
The evolution of economics
Conclusion
3 Economics and psychology
Herbert Simon and ‘Bounded Rationality’
The ‘Ecological Rationality’ or ‘Frugal Heuristics’ approach
Modern Behavioral Economics (MBE)
Libertarian Paternalism
Conclusion
4 Evolutionary economics
Richard Nelson on ‘Universal Darwinism’
Geoffrey Hodgson on ‘Universal Darwinism’
Ulrich Witt, evolution and Darwinism
Conclusion: Evolutionary economics and practical reason
5 Neuroeconomics
The metaphysics of neurosciences
Types of physicalism and dualism
Looking for alternative explanations for non-physicalists
The metaphysics of neuroeconomics
Conclusion
6 Happiness economics
Happiness and economics
Different concepts of happiness
Flourish, calling and flow
Measuring flourishing
Conclusion
7 Institutional economics
Economics and institutions
Agency, habits and institutions in light of classical practical reason
Thorstein Veblen
Contemporary economic theories of institutions
Rule Theory
Equilibrium Theory
Constitutive Rules Theory
Conclusion
8 The Capability Approach
Introducing the Capability Approach
Some problems in Sen’s CA
Identification of valuable capabilities: the debate over lists of capabilities
Heterogeneity and incommensurability
Conclusion
9 Civil Economy
Historical and intellectual roots of Civil Economy: from Aristotle to Genovesi and Dragonetti
From Aristotle to nowadays
Conclusion
10 Conclusion