Rationality and Dynamic Choice: Foundational Explorations

Description

This is a major contribution to the theory of rational choice which will be of particular interest to philosophers and economists. The author sets out the foundations of rational choice, and then sketches a dynamic choice framework in which principles of ordering and independence follow from a number of apparently plausible conditions. However, there is potential conflict among these conditions, and when they are weakened to avoid it the usual foundations of rational choice no longer prevail. The thrust of the argument is to suggest that the theory of rational choice is less deterministic than many suppose. 'This is a seminal work which demands the serious attention of all those interested in rational choice.' - David Gauthier, University of PittsburghThis is a major contribution to the theory of rational choice which will be of particular interest to philosophers and economists. The author sets out the foundations of rational choice, and then sketches a dynamic choice framework in which principles of ordering and independence follow from a number of apparently plausible conditions. However, there is potential conflict among these conditions, and when they are weakened to avoid it the usual foundations of rational choice no longer prevail. The thrust of the argument is to suggest that the theory of rational choice is less deterministic than many suppose. 'This is a seminal work which demands the serious attention of all those interested in rational choice.' - David Gauthier, University of Pittsburgh

"This is a seminal work which demands the serious attention of all those interested in rational choice." David Gauthier, University of Pittsburgh "McClennen's book is a highly interesting and valuable contribution to the growing literature on the nature of reason...Moreover McClennen's discussion of a wealth of central ideas and issues in decision theory bearing on his defence of resolute choice (to which I cannot hope to do justice in this review) takes the reader through some fascinating territory. The journey is well worth the price of admission." Jean Hampton, Canadian Philosophical Reviews