Review of Economic Philosophy

Tag: Economy

  • Aristotle on Some Political Limitations to Economic Concerns

    Abstract

    In the Politics, Aristotle is committed to distinguishing the economic sphere and the political sphere in order to articulate and prioritize them. While recognizing the specific autonomy of economic activities, the Stagirite exposes the reasons that legitimize the limitation of these activities by the political power. By consecrating the eminence of politics in relation to the commercial sphere Aristotle manifests the imperious need to subordinate the search for an acquisition of material goods – legitimate in its order – to the highest activities of man which alone are likely to bring him true happiness. Sought for themselves, these are the expression of an exit by man from a logic of utility and testify to an authentic form of freedom in which his virtue and his excellence are deployed. It is ultimately only an education in the life of leisure that brings into the community individuals able to assume the moral and political destination the city is called to.

    Keywords

    , , , ,

    [See the article on Cairn]

  • Le testament économique de Heidegger

    Abstract

    Heidegger is one amongst the most reknown and controversial thinkers of the XXth century . A thinker of “esse”, he is known as a critic of traditional metaphysics and ontology. His thought therefore appears to be at the antipodes of the economic preoccupations and of the approach of specialists. This notwithstanding, it is primary economic activity which gives structure to all unfolding toward the “esse” and constitutes the ground upon which the question of the “esse” is elaborated. Conversel, the meaning of the “esse” vanishes and loses itself in the Technique of our modern times, whose most active offspring is management, be it private or public. Reading Heidegger is therefore relevant to the economist, in so far as he attempts to position his thinking beyond the metaphysical frameworks to which he remains attached.

    Keywords

    , , ,

  • The cynics: An economy of frugality

    Abstract

    The Greek cynics rejected the economic system of their time, as they believed its institutions were based on values contrary to the happiness and self-sufficiency of the individual. They instead promoted extreme frugality and begging. But to what extent can these practices be considered a genuine economic system given the social cooperation that an economic system involves?

    Keywords

    , , , ,