Homo economicus, or "economic man," is a concept in economics that describes an idealized human who acts rationally and with self-interest, making decisions to maximize utility or profit. This model assumes individuals have perfect information and are capable of calculating the most beneficial choices. While useful for theoretical analysis, it simplifies human behavior and does not account for emotions, social influences, or irrational decision-making. Critics argue that real human behavior often deviates from this rational model.