Economic Agents and Economic Motives

Economics has long been shaped by the figure of the self-interested individual. Yet many forms of economic action cannot be adequately understood through the lens of self-interest alone. This book reconstructs Amartya Sen’s understanding of economic agents and economic motives, showing how concepts such as commitment, self-sacrifice, agency, responsibility, and capabilities contribute to an alternative view of economic behavior grounded in social relationships. Drawing on the history of economic thought, economic methodology, and social economics, the book situates Sen’s reflections within a broader intellectual tradition that includes Aristotle, Adam Smith, and the civil economy tradition. It argues that Sen developed an implicit but coherent conception of economic agents as socially embedded individuals whose decisions are shaped not only by personal advantage but also by ethical commitments, concern for others, and participation in collective life. The book further explores the strengths and limitations of this perspective through a dialogue with contemporary interpretations of Sen’s work and examines its relevance for understanding hybrid organizations, particularly social enterprises. By connecting Sen’s ideas to questions of reciprocity, cooperation, and social responsibility, it offers a novel framework for analysing economic action beyond the conventional model of homo oeconomicus. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of social economics, the history of economic thought, economic methodology, political economy, and capability studies. By bringing together historical reconstruction, methodological inquiry, and contemporary socio-economic challenges, it also offers valuable insights for researchers working in applied and qualitative economics, social enterprise studies, and related fields concerned with the social and relational foundations of economic action.