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Ansatzpunkte einer Gewissensökonomik / Approaches to the economics of consciense

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  • Heinemann Friedrich

Abstract

While constitutions assign an utmost authority to the conscience as an institution guiding individual behaviour only very few economic contributions deal with this concept in an explicit way. The impression that economics ignores a key ethical authority contributes to the criticism of a one-sided and biased economic modelling of human behaviour. Hence, this study addresses the question to which extent economists already or potentially may contribute to a full understanding of the concept and functioning of conscience. The overriding hypothesis is that economics offers powerful analytical instruments also with respect to this ethical concept and is able to enrich the interdisciplinary dialogue by specific insights. The contribution identifies four fields for the economics of conscience: the analysis of norm restricted behaviour, the modelling of the conscience as intra-personal interaction, the analysis of self-interest as a determinant of norms and the treatment of the supply side of the market for ethical norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Heinemann Friedrich, 2010. "Ansatzpunkte einer Gewissensökonomik / Approaches to the economics of consciense," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 61(1), pages 151-168, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:ordojb:v:61:y:2010:i:1:p:151-168:n:11
    DOI: 10.1515/ordo-2010-0111
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