Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/272760 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 16133
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This chapter presents an economic approach to character and personality traits with an application to the study of virtue. Economists interpret psychological traits, including character traits and virtue, as strategies that shape responses to situations (actions) determined by underlying endowments, preferences and resources, as well as incentives to act in situations. Philosophers of virtue consider a more limited set of goals than economists but the same tools can be applied to the economics of virtue ethics. Character traits and personality are not considered immutable in either field. They are shaped by genetics, parents, peers, and schools, as well as life experiences. We develop economic models to interpret and give empirical content to virtue ethics and suggest what virtue ethics contributes to the study of economic models.
Subjects: 
traits
philosophy
ethics
economic models
JEL: 
J24
J13
I24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.