Philosophical problems of economics in the Modern Era

Abstract

The economy has been an integral part of the life of all mankind since the most ancient times. The development of this science is directly related to the activities of people in a particular historical period. Various spheres and areas of life have undergone numerous changes under the influence of numerous factors, such as the formation of states, changes in political regimes, scientific discoveries and many others. Very few works are devoted to philosophical issues of Modern economics. As a result, the main concepts of socio-economic issues in the philosophical thought of the Modern era became the subject of the study. The author examines in detail the reasons and prerequisites for the formation of economic science. In Modern times, it is being formed into an autonomous system. Special attention is paid to the transformation of such basic economic categories as economy, labor, interests, and need. Economic problems during this period are permeated with a new philosophical meaning. The main conclusions of the philosophical analysis are the identification of new human relationships, both to himself and to society. There are new attitudes to man, to nature, to work, to trade, to wealth. Analyzing their contents, the author reveals a general idea of the nature of economic activity of this era. As a result, it turns out that the economic ideas of the philosophers of this period, in particular T. Hobbes, A. Smith and B. Mandeville, affect a number of very important aspects of the essence of man and influence the further development of economic theory as a whole. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that generalizing the ideas of philosophers about economic issues, the author combines them into three approaches.