The Theory of the Individual in Economics: Identity and Value (Routledge Advances in Social Economics) [Paperback]

John B Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0415202205 | ISBN-13: 978-0415202206 | Edition: 1

The concept of the individual and his/her motivations is a bedrock of philosophy. All strands of thought at heart come down to a particular theory of the individual. Economics, though, is guilty of taking this hugely important concept without questioning how we theorise it. This superb book remedies this oversight.
The new approach put forward by Davis is to pay more attention to what moral philosophy may offer us in the study of personal identity, self consciousness and will. This crosses the traditional boundaries of economics and will shed new light on the distinction between positive and normative analysis in economics. With both heterodox and orthodox economics receiving a thorough analysis from Davis, this book is at once inclusive and revealing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415202205
• ISBN-13: 978-0415202206
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,676,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Snappy overview of an issue central to economics, September 24, 2003

By 

Den Perry (Banana Grove, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of the Individual in Economics: Identity and Value (Routledge Advances in Social Economics) (Paperback)

I must admit that I had not come across John Davis's work before, although I have subsequently discovered that he is Editor of the journal, "Review of Social Economy". This book was brought to my attention by an email from the publishers Routledge.

The book's main virtue is succinctness - too many economics books outstay their welcome and Davis does a good job of covering a core issue in the space of fewer pages than is usual.

For me, Chapter 3, which deals partly with human capital theory, is the book's strongest. Gary Becker's work and continued influence is examined and comes in for a convincing critique.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent detour into economics and philosophy, September 24, 2003

By 

Les Alanos (La Rochelle, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of the Individual in Economics: Identity and Value (Routledge Advances in Social Economics) (Paperback)

A superb read, this book came like a breath of fresh air to me. Using a huge range of knowledge, the author takes the reader on a journey through economics via its most important thoroughfare: the concept of the individual.

One of the best qualities of the book is its precise style of writing - it makes for a book which does not take too long to read, but leaves one thinking of it for a long time afterwards.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous overview, September 25, 2003

By 

Tim Canterbury (Possum Ridge, AK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of the Individual in Economics: Identity and Value (Routledge Advances in Social Economics) (Paperback)

This book is good overall - hut what really makes it stand out is an unbelievably lucid section on so-called "Orthodox" or "Neoclassical" economics. Professor Davis strips the assumptions of this body of thinking bare and then moves on to draw some striking conclusions of his own.