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Behavioral ethics for Homo economicus, Homo heuristicus, and Homo duplex

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  • Kluver, Jesse
  • Frazier, Rebecca
  • Haidt, Jonathan

Abstract

In this article we explore how assumptions about human nature may influence the ways one might try to promote ethical behavior in organizations. We summarize two common views of human nature in organizational research—Homo economicus and Homo heuristicus. We then extend these views by putting forward a third view of human nature initially proposed by Emile Durkheim—Homo duplex—which describes human beings as moving back and forth between a lower (individual) and higher (collective) level. We suggest that the Homo duplex view is uniquely equipped to account for variables of interest to organizational scholars because of its attention to a fundamental tension: People in organizations can be both selfish and groupish, and the balance between those tendencies influences the ethical profile of the organization in complex ways. We end with a discussion of the theoretical implications of the Homo duplex view for behavioral ethics researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Kluver, Jesse & Frazier, Rebecca & Haidt, Jonathan, 2014. "Behavioral ethics for Homo economicus, Homo heuristicus, and Homo duplex," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 123(2), pages 150-158.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:123:y:2014:i:2:p:150-158
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2013.12.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marion Fortin & Thierry Nadisic & Chris M. Bell & Jonathan R. Crawshaw & Russell Cropanzano, 2016. "Beyond the Particular and Universal: Dependence, Independence, and Interdependence of Context, Justice, and Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 137(4), pages 639-647, September.
    2. Ngoc Thao Noet & Serge Blondel, 2023. "Cooperation and ethical choices through an experimental approach [Coopération et choix éthiques : une approche expérimentale]," Working Papers hal-04075048, HAL.
    3. Carolin Baur & Roman Soucek & Ulrich Kühnen & Roy F. Baumeister, 2020. "Unable to Resist the Temptation to Tell the Truth or to Lie for the Organization? Identification Makes the Difference," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(4), pages 643-662, December.
    4. Magdalena Mikolajek-Gocejna, 2017. "From Homo Oeconomicus To Homo Altiore (Holistic). In The Search Of A New Paradigm," Eurasian Journal of Social Sciences, Eurasian Publications, vol. 5(3), pages 24-37.
    5. Philipp Schreck & Dominik Aaken & Karl Homann, 2020. "“There’s Life in the Old Dog Yet”: The Homo economicus model and its value for behavioral ethics," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(3), pages 401-425, April.
    6. Pattarin Adithipyangkul & T. Y. Leung, 2018. "Incentive pay for non-executive directors: The direct and interaction effects on firm performance," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 943-964, December.

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