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The Moral Trial: Economists and the Socratic Problem

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  • Alessandro Lanteri

Abstract

Most people believe economists are more selfish than noneconomists. The reasons for such belief and for the related moral condemnation of economists remain confused. Both charges and evidence are insufficient to support substantial judgements. Further elaboration would be welcome before drawing implications from the current charge (i.e. economists are more selfish than noneconomists), further investigations into the causes of this phenomenon (self- selection or training) are required for blaming economists and suggesting corrections, and further evidence needs be gathered to sustain the charges. Alternative explanations (beyond selfselection and training) are also suggested, which might lead to different implications, charges, and corrections.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Lanteri, 2007. "The Moral Trial: Economists and the Socratic Problem," ICER Working Papers 44-2007, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:icr:wpicer:44-2007
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    File URL: http://www.bemservizi.unito.it/repec/icr/wp2007/ICERwp44-07.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Laband, David N & Beil, Richard O, 1999. "Are Economists More Selfish Than Other 'Social' Scientists?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 100(1-2), pages 85-101, July.
    2. George Stigler, 1959. "The Politics of Political Economists," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 73(4), pages 522-532.
    3. Kahneman, Daniel & Knetsch, Jack L & Thaler, Richard, 1986. "Fairness as a Constraint on Profit Seeking: Entitlements in the Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 76(4), pages 728-741, September.
    4. Frank, Bjorn & Schulze, Gunther G., 2000. "Does economics make citizens corrupt?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 101-113, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economics; Experiments; Moral Trial; Self-Interest; Socratic Problem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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