The conception of Homo economicus as a rational economic agent took off in the 20th century when neoclassical economists put forward the concept in response to the failure of the classical economic theories to explain some of the most ambitious ventures of the day. Homo economicus is an idealized version of a human being who is rational, logical and unemotional in all of their decision-making. They have complete information, act with perfect knowledge, and make all decisions based on their self-interest. A Homo economicus acts only in their own self-interest and with an understanding of the cost and benefit of all of their decisions.

Homo Economicus theory has been a cornerstone of the neoclassical economics transition in the 20th century. In the past few decades, however, the idea of Homo Economicus has become less popular in economic theory due to the rising importance and prevalence of behavioral economics, which seeks to take into account psychological and social factors in economic decisions. While there are still “economic man” models used in various areas of economics, contemporary economists recognize that this model does not perfectly capture the behavior of rational human beings.

As the modern economy evolves, knowledge and understanding of Homo Economicus is becoming increasingly important. Homo Economicus models are used to better understand consumer behavior, economic behavior in a competitive market, and economic decision-making. As technological advances, globalization, consumer power and increased competition are influencing economic decisions and consumer behavior, the simplistic assumptions of Homo Economicus are no longer enough to accurately predict economic behavior. In light of this, economists need to be aware of the limitations of the Homo Economicus model and adjust their understanding accordingly.

Ultimately, although Homo Economicus has been an important part of economic theory throughout the past several centuries, it is no longer the only model of decision-making in economics. Behavioral economics and neuroeconomics are becoming increasingly important factors in understanding the behavior of consumers and businesses. As the modern economy continues to evolve, the Homo Economicus model will become less effective and economists will need to adapt their understanding of the economic decision-maker accordingly.