Concept

Marshall's Disapproval of Homo Economicus

Alfred Marshall, a key founder of the neoclassical school of economics, expressed strong disapproval of the Homo economicus model, which assumes individuals are driven solely by self-interest. He would have been distressed by this concept becoming central to the textbooks of his followers. Marshall argued that ethical considerations are crucial for economists to analyze. In his 1890 book, Principles of Economics, he stated: 'Ethical forces are among those of which the economist has to take account. Attempts have indeed been made to construct an abstract science with regard to the actions of an economic man who is under no ethical influences and who pursues pecuniary gain... selfishly. But they have not been successful.'

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Updated 2026-05-02

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