Ricardo F. Crespo is a Professor of Philosophy of Economics in IAE (Universidad Austral) and in Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina. He is a researcher at the National Council of Scientific Research (CONICET, Argentina) and has published extensively in his field.

• 1 Introductory overview2 The theoretical and metaphysical foundations of sciencesThe metaphysical worldviewPhysicalism, materialism and naturalism Practical and instrumental reasonThe evolution of economicsConclusion3 Economics and psychologyHerbert Simon and ‘Bounded Rationality’ The ‘Ecological Rationality’ or ‘Frugal Heuristics’ approachModern Behavioral Economics (MBE)Libertarian Paternalism Conclusion4 Evolutionary economicsRichard Nelson on ‘Universal Darwinism’Geoffrey Hodgson on ‘Universal Darwinism’Ulrich Witt, evolution and DarwinismConclusion: Evolutionary economics and practical reason5 NeuroeconomicsThe metaphysics of neurosciencesTypes of physicalism and dualismLooking for alternative explanations for non-physicalists The metaphysics of neuroeconomicsConclusion6 Happiness economicsHappiness and economicsDifferent concepts of happinessFlourish, calling and flowMeasuring flourishingConclusion7 Institutional economics Economics and institutionsAgency, habits and institutions in light of classical practical reasonThorstein VeblenContemporary economic theories of institutionsRule TheoryEquilibrium TheoryConstitutive Rules TheoryConclusion 8 The Capability ApproachIntroducing the Capability ApproachSome problems in Sen’s CAIdentification of valuable capabilities: the debate over lists of capabilitiesHeterogeneity and incommensurabilityConclusion9 Civil Economy Historical and intellectual roots of Civil Economy: from Aristotle to Genovesi and DragonettiFrom Aristotle to nowadaysConclusion 10 Conclusion