Some Fundamentals of Integral Economics

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in the integration of knowledge but few broad theoretical attempts in the field of economics. If integration is to be taken seriously, combining economic questions with the social and the natural sciences will not suffice. Psychology and the humanities will have to be incorporated, too. Inspired by the works of K. W. Kapp, C. G. Jung, and others, we develop a preliminary framework combining three key "integrative concepts"-(a) social metabolism, (b) the institutional structure, and (c) the inner world-within a perspective characterized by the interior/exterior distinction, evolution, openness, and the dialectics of potentials and actualizations. We argue that these three concepts help to integrate economics with the environment, the collective, and the self and spirituality. For each one of these integrated areas, we highlight some fundamental economic principles, namely (a) the implications of the differentiation of "natural resources," (b) the signification of the distinction between property and possession, and (c) the need to take into account the unconscious and the individuation process in order to reach a realistic picture of the "economic actor" in search of existential fulfilment. Finally, we suggest sixteen economic propositions that could form a preliminary basis for an integral economics.

Lonergan's Contribution to Ecological Economics

“…Lonergan's full model (not merely the structural results) and contemporary searchings in ecological economics further reveal that in some respects, the problem is, indeed, -trans-disciplinary‖ . Although, in light of efforts to develop holistic views (Spash 2012b;Spash 2012a;Gerber & Steppacher 2014), and an evident practical bent for global welfare , ecological economics is to somehow be -omni-disciplinary‖.…”

The Legacy of K. William Kapp

“…These two integrative concepts would speak to sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, historians as well as economists, and they would avoid, Kapp thought, the tendency to dogmatism, which Kapp saw occurring in orthodox historical materialism and Freudian psychoanalysis. Other common denominators could of course be explored, such as social metabolism, institutional structure, value pluralism, power over resources, co‐evolution and communities (Gerber and Steppacher, , ).…”

“…Such an integration of the ‘interior’ and the ‘exterior’ is quite explicit when Kapp (: 209) writes: ‘a unified science of man in society would have to reject such traditional dualisms as those of science and ethics, matter and mind, ends and means, facts and values’. We developed this approach in Gerber and Steppacher ().…”

Human Securitability: A Participatory Action Research Study Involving Novice Teachers and Youngsters

“…Economic growth is not contextualized by integrating it with other aspects of sustainability. (Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre, 2012, p.15) In their model of the fundamentals of integral economics, Gerber and Steppacher (2014) argue that integral economics are inconceivable without components such as inner world, institutional structure and social metabolism. These concepts are rooted in sustainability, existential fulfillment, equity and democracy.…”