Homo Oeconomicus vs. Homo Academicus - Challenges and Dilemmas in the Metamorphosis from the Concepts to the Realities of Contemporary Global Society

Abstract

This workpaper aims to present sui generis one point of view on the relationship between two models of the social-human typology in the context of globalization: homo oeconomicus and homo academicus. Being only a starting point for further research into a tripartite structure, the paper preliminary presents views on views of MAN’s multivalent positions between vocation and the adaptation to globalization flows, the dilemmas and paradoxes between the oeconomicus and academicus models which I consider inherent into a higher education’s biography in a globalized world. Developed from hypothesis to conclusion, the assertion that homo academicus is deeply involved in mundus academicus, while homo oeconomicus stimulates in a global manner the whole mundus academicus, generates various approaches in which the economic and the academic either mingle or dissociate, but the conjunction or disjunction cases unavoidably lead to outlining the postulate that no architecture on a world academic map is built without „Development through Innovation and Innovation through Education” and that leads to an absolutely justified interrogation in the globalized present: Will homo academicus be able to adapt to the values of homo oeconomicus, sell its know-how and produce conveniently?