PhDr. Pavel Štika
Field of interest: Economics of Happiness, Reciprocity
Membership: Microeconomics and Mathematical Methods, PhD Candidates
Contact
Office:
Email: stika [DOT] pavel [AT] gmail [DOT] com
Phone: 603 827 287
Available: anytime, write me to arrange
More information
PhD study
Tutor: prof. RNDr. Jiří Hlaváček CSc.
Studying from: 2006
PhDr examination:
Final exam: 01/2009
Dissertation Proposal defence:
Dissertation defence:
Current work:
Happiness economics
Dissertation topic:
Economics of altruism, reciprocity
Disertation abstract:
In my diploma thesis I tried to outline an alternative economic approach to a man as a social entity, which is familiar with such phenomenon as a pure, nonreciprocal altruism. None of the contemporary streams of the economic thought is able to tackle with a man acting selflessly for the well-being of others.
Trying to amend this I proceeded from the methodological apparatus of post-classical streams of economic thought, which are characterized primarily by methodological realism. Realistic approach to a man and his behavior brings us to the economical concepts of the fundamental uncertainty and the procedural rationality, which create the basic frame for my research. Closer view into the area of psychology reveals the habitual behavior as a crucial factor, both engine and brake, of the human life. Analysis of habitual behavior coming out of the approach of Gary Becker and furthermore embedded into the environment of fundamental uncertainty leads to the model, where I identify the „sources of happiness“ or need-fulfilling maximizing behavior in the society as a certain form of intelligent altruism. In comparison with the real life, cognitive limits of a man, procedural rationality and non-rational elements of behavior, this intelligent altruism „degenerates“ into an altruism which is nonreciprocal, pure.
More, influence of habits in the environment of fundamental uncertainty and procedural rationality is magnified to such extent, that the level of man’s today well-being is essentially determined by his behavior in past.
The goal of my dissertation is to link this rather unusual economical approach to the current main stream research in the field of economics of social reciprocity, altruism etc., while holding on with the crucial assumptions of fundamental uncertainty and procedural rationality of the decision maker. The boldest intention of this research is to outline a basis for a more comprehensive microeconomic theory that would be both based on realistic assumptions and would be able to explain cardinal questions of allocation of scarce resources on the level of an individual.
Such a theory would enable to model number of social phenomenon as cooperation, reciprocity, pure altruism, institutional change etc. both on the level of small communities and of whole civilizations. It would enable to handle phenomenon which are based on monetary, reputation, or intrinsic incentives from the habitual or institutional perspective. This can lead (from the economical point of view) to greatly surprising conclusions.
Optional courses:
CV
Topics for supervision
Supervised Bachelor theses
all/awarded: 4/1
Awarded:
Bc. Martin Racek
Downloadable
200_rigorozka_stika.pdf
Economics and happiness - an overview - beta, poleko
individual study plan 2010/11
PhD student evaluation 2009/10