The dialectic of rationality and economic efficiency: problems, attainments, possible solutions

Abstract

The aim of article is to investigate the modern state of dialectic rationality and economic efficiency. The content of European culture key values without relying on which a person cannot think, learn and act fruitfully, are clarified. This applies to any field of activity: economic, social, political, etc. It is proved that in the economics sphere, rationality is usually characterized by the ability to organize the production process. She is measured by the expenditures required for manufacturing of production unit. It is illustrated that an economic system is considered rational if it operates with the lowest possible expenditure of energy and other resources, and operates on an approved program. The research results showed that rationality and efficiency in economic activity are usually dialectically interconnected and this relationship is contradictory: requirements for production efficiency increasing are constantly ahead of the possibilities for changes in a more conservative rational structure of the system, which raises the contradiction between them. It is proved that it is problematic to achieve a coincidence in time of the optimal level of functioning of the economic system both in a rational plan and in terms of its proper efficiency ensuring, and in the long term. A conceptual approach to the problems further research is proposed, the essence of which is not ignoring the place and role of classical rationality in the modern history of European science and philosophy, but, on the contrary, a more thorough search and use of all the positive that this type of rationality gave for the development of economic science, a fundamental study it’s still unknown heritage and deep understanding of it – all this should remain one of the priority directions of scientific and philosophical research.