The individual in mainstream health economics: a case of Persona Non-grata.
This paper is motivated by Davis' [14] theory of the individual in economics. Davis' analysis is applied to health economics, where the individual is conceived as a utility maximiser, although capable of regarding others' welfare through interdependent utility functions. Nonetheless, this provides a restrictive and flawed account, engendering a narrow and abstract conception of care grounded in Paretian value and Cartesian analytical frames. Instead, a richer account of the socially embedded individual is advocated, which employs collective intentionality analysis. This provides a sound foundation for research into an approach to health policy that promotes health as a basic human right.
Davis
John B
JB
University of Amsterdam and Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, John.davis@mu.edu.
McMaster
Robert
R
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics; D004470:Economics, Medical / Q000941:ethics*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics