Intersubjectivity in Economics: Agents and Structures

Description

Traditional economics treats the defining subjective properties of economic agents (tastes, preferences, demands, goals and perceptions) as determined independently of individual and collective relations with other agents. This collection of essays reflects the increasingly common view that economics cannot continue to disregard all economic phenomena inconsistent with its nineteenth century atomistic conception of Economic subjects. The volume is especially concerned with the idea of intersubjective influences on market outcomes as a recognised dimension of economic inquiry. A team of expert international contributors have been brought together to address the question of intersubjectivity from a variety of perspectives. Using methods of description and analysis they explore the structures and effects of concrete interdependencies between individual subjectivities engaged in economic activity, and develop conceptual and analytical tools for this task. Many of the essays are interdisciplinary in scope and in addition to economics the book should provide valuable lessons in psychology, sociology, social theory, philosophy, political science and history. John B. Davis, Marquette University, Armin Falk, University of Zurich, Ernst Fehr, University of Zurich, Anne Mayhew, University of Tennessee, Frank Ackerman, Tufts U

"Seventeen Papers begin the project of creating an intersubjective economics by conceptualizing non-atomistic economic agents and the interactive structures to which they give rise."-Journal of Economic Literature