Wirtschaftsanthropologie

“Who is the human being when s/he acts economically?” – economic anthropology seeks answers to this question. While the discussion in recent years has revolved around the notion of the Homo oeconomicus – its limits and opportunities – there is a general consensus that the model is inadequate. The present volume is a contribution to the elaboration and development of the newly emerging discipline of economic anthropology. The contributions within this volume examine which concepts from other interdisciplinary and related fields can help to establish a more concrete image of human kind in the economic sphere. By inquiring who economic actors truly are, this anthropological reflection on the economy goes above and beyond ethical dimensions. Only by being aware of who the economic human being is and what that being can contribute, can the normative question about human purpose be answered.