Rome 258/358 Economics of Religion

The course provides deeper understanding of religious phenomena, behaviors and institutions in (post)modern societies. Economic tools of the analysis of human behavior are applied to explain individual behavior in religious contexts. Special attention will be devoted to phenomena that apparently defy the rational choice paradigm dominant in economic science, such as martyrdom. Attention will be also devoted to the impact of religious behaviors on economic performance, work ethic and market exchanges and institutions. The course offers an introduction to methods offered by economic analysis for the study of religious phenomena. The intervention of an outside speaker possibly from the Vatican with a direct expertise in financial issues will be organized.