The Logic of Economic Activity from the Perspective of Allama Tabatabai Compared to Classical Economics

In classical economics, economic man is selfish, materialistic and pleasure seeking. He seeks to maximize his personal material gain: manufacturer tries to maximize his personal material profit and consumer looks for maximum utility i.e. sheer material pleasure. Personal material gain is the criterion for man’s selections and preferences .Using analytical method, this paper investigates the views of Allameh Tabatabaei about the logic of economic activity. The research hypothesis is that Allameh Tabatabai regards personal gain and inherent pleasure and pain as the logic behind the decision-making of economic human. Based on the research findings, Allameh believes that the natural benefits and pleasures of the action and possessions make the action attractive in man’s view. However, we are faced with three types of material pleasures: pleasures that are intellectual and in accordance with innate nature, pleasures that are intellectual and in opposition to the innate nature and pleasures that are consistent with carnal desires. Type I and Type II are in harmony with innate nature and consistent with legislative guidance, but the third type is the source of human’s conflicts and their taking advantage from each other. With their Revealed books, the divine prophets and friends of God are delegated to lead humanity to lasting pleasure that is consistent with man’s innate nature. Creational guidance together with revealed guidance guide man towards true perfection, happiness and lasting pleasure.