ABSTRACT
Joseph Schumpeter is introduced as a humanist who is linked to the Historical School of Economics, an intellectual movement that emerged in Germany in the 19th century as an alternative to more “rational,” “scientific,” and “universal” alternatives. Schumpeter, his humanistic perspectives regarding entrepreneurship, and their influences are interpreted from this framework. Besides being a member of the Historical School, the influence of Joseph Schumpeter and his views of entrepreneurship are similar to those of psychologist Abraham Maslow, especially how Maslow’s work has influenced business theory and practice. Schumpeter believed that entrepreneurship tended to emerge from a particular sort of person who possesses characteristics that could be described as “Unternehmergeist,” which is German for “entrepreneur-spirit.” Schumpeter argues that the pivotal force leading to economic development is what he called creative destruction that was brought about by entrepreneurs who introduce innovations and paradigm shifts that trigger radical and unprecedented change and progress.
