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Discursive Rationality and the Division of Labour
Author(s) -
Hülsmann Jörg Guido
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
american journal of economics and sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1536-7150
pISSN - 0002-9246
DOI - 10.1111/j.1536-7150.1999.tb03391.x
Subject(s) - rationality , division of labour , normative , doctrine , harmony (color) , economics , positive economics , private property , neoclassical economics , sociology , law and economics , law , market economy , political science , art , visual arts
A bstract One of the great achievements of economic science is the explanation of the benefits of the division of labour in market economies. However, despite its merits this utilitarian explanation is insufficient as an account for the widespread division of labour. This insufficiency stems from the normative shortcomings of the harmony‐of‐interests doctrine, which cannot justify the respect of private‐property titles and. therefore, cannot explain on purely utilitarian grounds the fact that the division of labour is as widespread as it in fact is. Mariam Thalos has recently provided a partial solution to this problem by arguing that religious relief in God performs a public function that facilitates human co‐operation. In critical elaboration of her thesis, the division of labour is explained by taking into account a different aspect of human reason, namely, discursive rationality.