The Explanatory Potential of Rational Choice Theory: A Critical Assessment
Journal Title: Social Evolution & History - Year 2015, Vol 14, Issue 1
Abstract
What are the explanatory values characteristic of concepts considering humans as entities aimed at maximizing expected utility by means of coherent and logical decisions? Do citizens who are active in politics behave according to the expectations of rational choice theorists? Reviews of premises constituting rational choice theory are found in the works of authors representing multiple disciplines. The vastness of these views will not be discussed within the limitations of the present article, though I have focused on the output of selected disciplines: evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and social and cognitive psychology. Among the phenomena that question the theory I have included: emotions and feelings, unconscious prejudices, heuristics, self-deception and the monological belief system.
Authors and Affiliations
Mateusz Wajzer
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