Evolution and Human Nature | Zendy

Arthur J. Robson | Zendy

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Evolution and Human Nature

Author(s) -

Arthur J. Robson

Publication year - 2002

Publication title -

the journal of economic perspectives

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 9.614

H-Index - 196

eISSN - 1944-7965

pISSN - 0895-3309

DOI - 10.1257/0895330027274

Subject(s) - generalization , rationality , simple (philosophy) , economics , mathematical economics , consumption (sociology) , positive economics , neoclassical economics , basis (linear algebra) , bounded rationality , microeconomics , epistemology , sociology , mathematics , philosophy , social science , geometry

This paper considers how biological evolution shaped the elements of a simple but complete model of economic decision making. These elements are preferences, beliefs and rationality. Whereas Nature might impose preferences over consumption on the individual, Nature might optimally allow beliefs to be influenced by local knowledge and final choice to be flexible. This reinforces the usual approach. On the one hand, evolution also suggests that some extensions of this model are implausible; on the other, it suggests unexpected directions of generalization. In any case, evolution provides a basis for an overarching economic theory and maintains restrictions on this theory.

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