Homo Economicus and Homo Politicus: How we See Ourselves as Humans and Why that Can Change Everything

What it means to be human cannot be clearly defined. However, certain dimensions of being human can be determined in different concepts of man—such as the biological, economic, cultural, and political dimensions. Concepts of man are also used in the sciences. These are simplifications, as they are made in the respective disciplines for analytical purposes. This chapter is about two particular concepts of man and their significance for dealing with sustainability problems. The analytical core of conventional economics is the concept of the economic human (Homo Economicus), which conceives of humans as selfish rational utility maximizers. As a basis for economic and environmental policy instruments, this concept of man is indispensable for a practical sustainability policy. However, significant transformations require more than rational egoism from the actors. The fact that there are always people who are committed to their fellow human beings and the long-term preservation of the natural basis of life presupposes an intrinsic interest in justice—and the ability to communicate it in public dispute. This dimension of being human is described in the following in the concept of the political human (Homo Politicus).