Rationalizing the Irrational. The Principle of Relative Maximization from Sociobiology to Economics and Its Implications for Ethics

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Rationalizing the Irrational. The Principle of Relative Maximization from Sociobiology to Economics and Its Implications for Ethics

Author Info

Boari, Mircea () (ESSEC Business School)

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Mircea Boari

Abstract

Starting with the concept of “rational maximizing individual”, a meta-construct with foundational value in economics and, in general, in human sciences, the paper delineates the territory of an ethics of rationality. It does this by taking fulcrum in findings from evolutionary theory, in particular those regarding spiteful behavior. The paper formulates the principle of “differential fitness maximization”, as expression of relative maximization of fitness and derives its consequences, among which, a core set of normative propositions grounding the said ethics. Thus, the paper strengthens the backbone of the Western philosophical tradition which, in essence, always associated ethical conduct with reason and individualism.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by ESSEC Research Center, ESSEC Business School in its series ESSEC Working Papers with number DR 07004.

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Length: 44 pages
Date of creation: Feb 2007
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:ebg:essewp:dr-07004

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
A19 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Other
B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Institutional; Evolutionary
C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
P00 - Economic Systems - - General - - - General
Z19 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Other

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2007-03-31 (All new papers)
NEP-CBE-2007-03-31 (Cognitive & Behavioural Economics)
NEP-EVO-2007-03-31 (Evolutionary Economics)
NEP-HPE-2007-03-31 (History & Philosophy of Economics)
NEP-NEU-2007-03-31 (Neuroeconomics)
NEP-UPT-2007-03-31 (Utility Models & Prospect Theory)

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This page was last updated on 2009-11-27.

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