Homo economicus
Proper noun
Meaning
Homo economicus
(economics) A human being regarded as a rational and narrowly self-interested actor capable of making judgments in order to attain its own particular goals.
Synonyms
Related terms
Examples
Homo economicus is an implausible caricature, but a highly productive one, and no useful alternative has yet been found.
Homo economicus was surreptitiously taken as the emblem and analogue for all living beings. A mechanistic anthropomorphism has gained currency.
Not only is Homo economicus self-centered, he is a murdering psychopath. However, as with much of neoclassical economic thought, there is an element of circularity here.