Economics and the Bet on Human Nature

The concepts of trust and game have contributed to a reformulation of fundamental assumptions of economic theory. While game theory broadened the scope of economic analysis to encompass an evolutionary perspective, experiments on trustful behaviour served to empirically challenge the assumption of an exclusively self-interested rational actor. In our paper, we examine the contrasting concepts of economic actors and acting as a betting game between economic theorists. Whereas neo-classical and institutional economics posit the invariance of human nature, behavioural economics and commons research assume the existence of di verse types of economic actors and a variability in their playing modes. From the perspective of practical philosophy, trust is an indispensable practice that enables the actors involved to communicate, learn from each other, and establish evolving relationships. To trust is to engage in a game that is open and innovative, with the rules subject to constant renegotiation.

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DAC - DIGITAL JOURNAL FOR ARTS & CULTURAL STUDIES

DAC - DIGITALES JOURNAL FÜR KUNST- & KULTURWISSENSCHAFTEN

Variations on how to play

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