ABSTRACT
This study addresses a morally grounded alternative to the “homo economicus” model, which underpins the profit-maximization orientation of the capitalist economic system. It focuses on the concept of siftah, a socio- cultural practice that embodies this alternative approach. The study explores the feasibility of an economic structure based on virtues such as altruism and frugality, in which individuals consider not only their own interests but also the welfare of society. This approach, developed with reference to Islamic economics, the Sufi tradition, and the culture of Anatolian tradespeople, proposes an ethical economic understanding that prioritizes justice, sharing, and social solidarity. Moreover, the study argues that the principle of siftah can be regarded as a universal value, drawing upon historical and contemporary examples such as the European guild systems and modern happiness indices. The study emphasizes the necessity of limiting competition within humane boundaries and offers an economic perspective aimed at creating fair living conditions for all. In conclusion, siftah is presented not merely as a folkloric tradition, but as a transformative reality with the potential to lay the ethical foundations of a sustainable, just, and human-centered economic system.
