ZBC#98 [Economics as Ethics] Economics of Good and Evil/善と悪の経済学
Today, let me introduce Economics of Good and Evil/善と悪の経済学 from Zenport Book Club#98 on Apr14th 2018.
So far, the economics is regarded as Science. However, Tomas Sedlacek, who serves on the National Economic Council in Prague, tries to redefine the economy as cultural phenomenon and the production of humans.
In order to explain this theory, he introduce several stories in human history, like the epic of Gilgamesh, the Old Testament and The Theory of Moral Sentiments.
What these can teach us? and what we need to do after this?
Let’s get it started.
Summary
- Economics is not science. So far, a lot of economists and other people have been trying to create formula to explain the economics. However most of them has failed. The reason why they cannot reach the goal is they think economics is natural science. That’s incorrect. Economics is ultimately about good and evil.
- In order to grasp the truth underlying economics, we need to refer several stories in a human history, like the epic of Gilgamesh, the Old Testament and The Theory of Moral Sentiments.We can find an economic thinking from these references. For example, epic of Gilgamesh describes the truth that we sacrifice the humanity for labor productivity even though it was written almost 4,500 years before.
- In conclusion, the economics is ethics. For example, Bernard Mandeville argues that Some evil contribute to the whole good. On the other hand, Adam smith made much of virtue. Anyway, there are no one answer for economics. We need to make our own answer for economical activity by ourselves.
Discussion
- Listening to his theory, I feel like my perspective is too narrow. Everyday, I’m thinking to grow our business, and don’t doubt it. However he is thinking how we should live and how economics should be. Compared to him, I feel like I am a slave of capitalism.
Conclusion
Today, I’ve introduced Economics of Good and Evil, that explained about economy as ethics.
Next, let me introduce Politics as a Vocation from Zenport Book Club #99.
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