Construction and deconstruction of homo economicus

Abstract

This paper is proposed to reassemble the dissolution occurred when the Political Economy sought to limit their field of study, particularly in the perception of humann behavior and the assumption that men are selfish. To do that, it is developed the perception of Adam Smith about human behavior, and the subsequent changes resulting from different conceptions of classical and the neoclassical authors. In this attempt, it explores the the elements that collaborated in the transformation of Smithian man in homo economicus. Additionally, it is observed that the confusion of concepts present in this methodological construction suggests that economics salutes the egoism. This is a result of the distinction between moral and economic aspects. Key-words: Self-interest premise, homo economicus, methodology in economics, positivism, history of economic thought. Classificação JEL: