An Epistemological Reflection on Social and Solidarity Economy

Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is emerging as life affirming solutions to the global crises through the multiple ways people locally reinvent economic life on the margins of the capitalist system based on values of solidarity, reciprocity and sustainability. Although the SSE builds on a strong foundation of real practices and institutions of economic transformation as the way forward for us, this paper argues that this world of practice is in need of its theory to frame discourses and engage with the bigger picture with confidence as an alternative to the dominant economic paradigm. The author argues that the orthodox economics, with its ontological construct of the homo economicus, Cartesian dichotomy and logical positivist epistemology severely constrains our abilities to understand and appreciate economic alternatives based on ‘other’ rationalities. Hence, there is a need for an epistemological revolution to construct a coherent theoretical framework from the wreckages of the neoclassical economics for the SSE. This paper seeks to outline the basic structure and the key elements of the ontological and the epistemological framework for this ‘science-in-the-making’ as a step to stimulate further debate for a paradigm revolution.     

The sceptic as an economist's philosopher? Humean utility as a positive principle

Whereas in philosophy David Hume was long regarded as a negative thinker to be criticized rather than read, many thinkers interested in social and economic theory from Adam Smith onwards found key concepts, distinctions and problems as developed by Hume useful and inspiring. This applies not only to his seminal contributions to technical problems in economics. It is argued that the way in which Hume employed ‘utility as a positive principle’ (most notably in his ‘experimental’ moral theory) is of pivotal importance in this context. It allows for:

a. distinguishing between internal motifs and external circumstances and constraints; and for

b. making explicit the abstract logic of social interaction structures, mechanisms and processes.

Both are necessary conditions for employing the logic of social situations and mechanisms in the explanation of social institutions and economic processes. It moreover prepares the ground for the use of simplified or cartoon-like models of individual agency in economic and social theory, but also for its critique. On this basis, Hume's influence on various strands of social and economic thought, but also the specific differences with regard to more ‘rationalistic’ approaches (such as Hobbesianism or important versions of neoclassical economics) can be assessed more clearly.     

Robots and us: towards an economics of the ‘Good Life’

(Expected) adverse effects of the ‘ICT Revolution’ on work and opportunities for individuals to use and develop their capacities give a new impetus to the debate on the societal implications of technology and raise questions regarding the ‘responsibility’ of research and innovation (RRI) and the possibility of achieving ‘inclusive and sustainable society’. However, missing in this debate is an examination of a possible conflict between the quest for ‘inclusive and sustainable society’ and conventional economic principles guiding capital allocation (including the funding of research and innovation). We propose that such conflict can be resolved by re-examining the nature and purpose of capital, and by recognising mainstream economics’ utilitarian foundations as an unduly restrictive subset of a wider Aristotelian understanding of choice.     

Are tourists rational or irrational consumers?

The purpose of the study is to identify whether applying assumptions of consumer behavior in economics or marketing in the tourism context is validated. Therefore, this study investigated whether tourists, as subjects of consumption at a tourism destination, are rational. Also, additional work was performed to identify the determinants in rationality of tourists. Survey research through the three steps of instrument development has been conducted for those who visited the Jeju Island, South Korea. The adequate sample size of 280 pairs was employed for statistical analyses such as a multiple regression analysis. As a result, the study concluded that an application of the assumptions of consumer behavior in economics or marketing to decision-making of tourists’ consumption was inappropriate because the propensity of tourist expenditure at a tourism destination was evidenced as both rational and irrational. More discussion and implications were provided.     

行为经济学对经济人假设的重新审视

经济人假设是经济学理论重要的假设之一,以此为基础构建起从古典经济学到新古典经济学的理论体系。但其与现实的脱离,导致了经济学理论对现实经济解释力的下降。行为经济学将心理学分析法与经济学研究结合起来,依赖有关人的判断和决策的分析来了解经济主体行为,对经济人假设提出了挑战,并对其加以完善。其重要意义在于提高了经济学对现实的解释力、给予经济行为主体实际决策过程以良好的描述,同时为管理学、会计学、市场营销、金融学等与经济学相关的领域提供了新的研究途径。     

短波MIMO通信的研究进展

短波通信中的天波传播信道因为多径和多模式传播而具有充分散射的特征,因而非 常适合多输入多输出技术的应用。总结了短波多输入多输出技术通信的研究现状,归纳并分 析了 短波多输入多输出技术本身以及间隔式同构天线阵和同位置异构天线阵在短波多输入多输出 通信中应用的可行性,并指出了需要进一步解决的问题。     

Human Transformation in the Transition Economies

Abstract

This paper discusses the human transformation in the transition economies exemplifying the case of Georgia in particular and analyzes the natures of homo Sovieticus, homo transformaticus, and homo economicus. It then argues that since homo economicus has some deficiencies and is thoroughly egoistic in nature, another model of man is to be found to explain his/her behaviours not only in the marketplace but also in the social life, and it introduces the model of man of society. Hypothesizing that individuals are in general men of society, this model is offered not only to make a paradigmatic transition from homo economicus to a real existing man/woman in a nonarbitrary fashion, but also to complement the homo economicus and thus to effectively deal with many problematic issues in the transformation period which is expected to lead to a democratic society with a balanced economy. The paper also includes the results of a survey conducted to find the evidence of man of society in the Georgian society.     

解读“亚当·斯密问题”

两百多年前,斯密以其《道德情操论》和《国富论》两部巨著奠定了他在伦理学和经济学上的历史地位,也正是源于这两部著作中对人性的论述所呈现出的不一致,才构成了“亚当.斯密问题”。鉴于此,如何剖析、认识和解读“亚当.斯密问题”便成为研究的线索,而对与这一中心相关联的经济自由主义思想所蕴含的深刻哲理的探究,则是对“亚当.斯密问题”的合理延伸。