| Abstract: | The kind of problems addressed by a given science and the set of techniques for analyzing them rest upon what philosophy of science defines as a “escientific paradigm,” or a “disciplinary matrix.” This paper aims to analyze the disciplinary matrix embodied in socioeconomic thought. First, I appraise the disciplinary matrix underlying neoclassical economics as the “orthodox” branch of modern economic analysis. Methodological individualism and utilitarianism are the two cornerstones of contemporary economic thinking. Then, I challenge the core assumption of the prevailing neoclassical paradigm that utility-maximizing individuals are the prime decision- making units in society. From this analysis, it appears that the Homo economicus is a radical abstraction from social reality. Building on this criticism, a more encompassing paradigm of economic analysis is developed, introducing “Communitarianism” as a new disciplinary matrix of socioeconomic thought. |
