Homo Economicus 2.0

Homo Economicus 1.0 is about invisible hand. In the 18th century, Adam Smith who is a scottish philosopher and economist came up with the idea of invisible hand. The collective forces fuelled by actions and choices of self-interested individuals affect the economy. Theoretical models and scenario case studies were used to predict what will happen in the future. Homo Economicus and Economics men are rational, intelligent, coldly analytical, and they always act out of self-interested motivations to maximise their profit and utility. For example, Jerry is a Homo Economicus and he gets a $50 sweater from his mother. He does not really like the sweater and rather returns it and takes the money to do something else. Home Economicus men always consider their actions and act rationally out of self-interested and don’t care for emotion. Homo Economicus 2.0 and psychological economics are closely related to Homo Economicus 1.0. Emotion does matter although it is hard to quantify. People are motivated by something, think about all the possible consequences, and emotion tips the scale when stakes are high. For example, when a person plans to hit a gas station to rob money, he many consider how much money in the fuel, chance of being caught, and years he may have to serve in prison. If the cost outweighs the benefit, he or she will not do this, but if he or she outweighs the cost, they will do. Homo Economicus 2.0 is a person who does not care about self-interest, but cares about the pursuit of self-interest. For example, Jerry buys a new hybrid car because he wants people to think that he cares about the environment and that he is wonderful. He is selfish and selfless at the same time. What motivate a new economics man are money, progress, competition, and unlimited desire to push ego in the eyes of others. In conclusion, the new Homo Economicus 2.0 is often irrational, a cheater sometimes, bumper and busy pursuing self-interest.

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