Is humanity becoming Homo Economicus?

Let’s start the conversation upside down. In an ideal (or utopian?) condition humans are supposed to act rationally. A rational approach that is not only in the self-interest of the individual but also in the interests of society and the globe. However, this is not the case in reality, as we all know. Homo reciprocans are people who feel a deep sense of fellow feeling and who are not afraid to punish someone for their betterment. Homo reciprocan is more of an economic term than a social or scientific one.

He who exhibits these traits sees humans as cooperative agents, not competitors. The Neo-liberal economic system, however, constantly seeks to make each individual self-centric. There are a thousand voices speaking about material possessions, luxury, and future settlement plans in promotional materials and ‘motivational speeches’. Success has become narrowly defined by getting a higher degree or job. Here comes the main title of the piece ‘Homo economicus’ term which is also an economic term. Homo economicus - who are they? Modern humans are not entirely wrong if they say that. Concern about personal achievements and suffering is very common nowadays. There is a lack of trust, cooperation, empathy, and mass agony against injustice in this particular time period of history. The number of Homo economicus persons is growing while Homo reciprocans do not have the opportunity to reciprocate.

But, there are favorable conditions for acting as Homo reciprocans. Pandemic-laden earth, war, the crisis of human rights, and people getting dispossessed from their homelands are making headlines almost every day. Now is the time to be Homo reciprocans, but what we see is so disheartening. Politics and rightist movements divide the masses based on caste, creed, color, and politics. Sadly, they have substantial and steadily increasing supporters. Religions, books, and motivations failed to unite people to grow together. Capitalist gurus like Adam Smith and other economists to whom humans are just vessels of money making and nothing more would be pleased to see modern humans, as they are acting like Homo economicus. Homo economicus has hindered nations’ and regions’ ability to grow as a result of cognitive biases and irrationality, certain mindsets that create a divided world on climate vulnerability. The Global South, China, and to a lesser extent India don’t have the mindset of Homo reciprocans. Instead, they argue vaguely when it comes to compensation for loss and damage. Forgetful species humans are not even bothered by the fact that there is no planet B.

If not on a large scale, but on an individual basis, one can continue practicing Homo reciprocanethics. For instance, using eco-friendly shopping bags in daily shopping, using non or limited polluter vehicles to educate the illiterates, and so on. Also, in a national or global emergency, one can come forward to share food, shelter, and care. Those who are financially wealthy can assist the financially vulnerable. Volunteer work and its recognition are also losing popularity among youth. Young people are becoming mere fuel for civilization machines thanks (or curse) to modern gadgets and a competition-based education system. But this world needs people who are Homo reciprocans, not Homo economicus which is a much easier and selfish species to become. Therefore, it is up to you who you want to be.

The writer is a TV journalist