Intersubjectivity in Economics

Traditional economics treats the defining subjective properties of economic agents (tastes, preferences, demands, goals and perceptions) as determined independently of individual and collective relations with other agents. This collection of essays reflects the increasingly common view that economics cannot continue to disregard all economic phenomena inconsistent with its 19th-century atomistic conception of economic subjects. The volume is especially concerned with the idea of intersubjective influences on market outcomes as a recognized dimension of economic inquiry. A team of expert international contributors have been brought together to address the question of intersubjectivity from a variety of perspectives. Using methods of description and analysis, they explore the structures and effects of concrete interdependencies between individual subjectivities engaged in economic activity, and develop conceptual and analytical tools for this task. Many of the essays are interdisciplinary in scope and in addition to economics the book should provide valuable lessons in psychology, sociology, social theory, philosophy, political science and history.