Die Nutzenmaximierer

Drawing upon a model theory such as that of Robert Axelrod and James Buchanan, some German philosophers of economics maintain that self-interest and even selfishness are beneficial for society in general if they are controlled by a suitable framework. Their model theory applies to both the market and everyday life and results in an ethics which makes selfishness a virtue and moral decency foolishness. Hans-Joachim Niemann criticizes their model theory and demonstrates that not fully understanding one's model or underestimating the complex structure of social reality might easily result in disaster. There is no use in what those economists call the »ethics of the future« and what actually looks like a theoretical repetition of Ayn Rand's praise of selfishness. Ordinary everyday ethics is all we need if we remain critical and continue to improve it. For this purpose, problem-solving ethics could be a great help.