Why Should Economists Learn More From Nature?

Abstract

This paper presents two key points. First, nature does not need humans, but not vice versa. Second, humankind currently violates the asymmetrical value relationship between people and nature. Regrettably, it seems that many economists who play an important role in devising policies but their efforts are insufficient to fix the problem. In light of mindsponge theory and mindspongeconomics, nature serves not only as sources of life but also as valuable information for knowledge and innovation formation. From this view, if humans (particularly economists) learn more from nature with humility, humankind would have a greater opportunity to solve environmental issues and make our world better.

Keywords: global problems, environmental values, mindspongeconomics, nature, business, sustainability

JEL Classification: O1, D6, D8, D9, I3