Title

Unsettling the Metaphysics of Neo-Classical Microeconomic and Management Thinking

Keywords

metaphysics, management thinking, neo-clasical, philosophy

Abstract

Neo-classical economics and management theory is driven by a conception of self and self-interest that is formally expressed as utility maximization. Such theory is increasingly under attack, but not in ways that recognize its Cartesian metaphysical ground as the problem. An exposition of the role of Descartes' dualistic ontology in underwriting the “self” of self-interest suggests new avenues of escape both from the inconsistencies often pointed out between the behavior dictated by utility maximization and that observed in actual experience, and from the problem entailed by trying to analyze business and economic phenomena in ethically neutral ways.

Original Publication Citation

Travis T. Anderson and Robert G. Crawford,“Unsettling the Metaphysics of Neo-classical Micro-economic and Management Thinking,”International Journal of Public Administration, volume 21, Number 5, 1998, 645-690.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007-10-31

Publisher

International Journal of Public Administration

Language

English

College

Humanities

Department

Philosophy

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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