Sour Grapes: Studies in the Subversion of RationalitySour Grapes aims to subvert orthodox theories of rational choice through the study of forms of irrationality. Dr Elster begins with an analysis of the notation of rationality, to provide the background and terms for the subsequent discussions, which cover irrational behaviour, irrational desires and irrational belief. These essays continue and complement the arguments of Jon Elster's earlier book, Ulysses and the Sirens. That was published to wide acclaim, and Dr Elster shows the same versatility here in drawing on philosophy, political and social theory, decision-theory, economics and psychology, as well as history and literature. |
Contents
RATIONALITY | 1 |
the thin theory | 2 |
the broad theory | 15 |
the thin theory | 26 |
the broad theory | 33 |
STATES THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY BYPRODUCTS | 43 |
2 Willing what cannot be willed | 44 |
3 Technologies for selfmanagement | 53 |
9 Selfdefeating political theories | 91 |
10 The obsessional search for meaning | 101 |
SOUR GRAPES | 109 |
2 A conceptual map | 111 |
3 Power freedom and welfare | 125 |
4 Sour grapes and social choice | 133 |
BELIEF BIAS AND IDEOLOGY | 141 |
2 Situationinduced beliefs | 143 |
4 Commands | 60 |
5 Trying to impress | 66 |
6 Faking | 71 |
7 Choice and intention in art | 77 |
8 The impotence of power | 86 |
3 Interestinduced beliefs | 148 |
4 The benefits of bias | 157 |
167 | |
176 | |
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Common terms and phrases
achieve action actual adaptive preference formation addiction agent alternatives Amos Tversky argue argument artist assume attempt autonomy behaviour beliefs and desires Bourdieu bring causal character planning cognitive cognitive bias collective rationality command conceptual conceptual art consequences constraints counteradaptive preferences decision deliberate discussion dissonance distinction E. P. Thompson economic effect Elster essentially by-products evidence ex ante example explained fact faking fallacy feasible set freedom frustration G. A. Cohen goal Ibid idea implies important impress individual induced intention interest irrational justified La Distinction less logic means mechanism minimal art moral negation Nisbett and Ross notion objection oneself optimal options outcome person political possible preference change problem reasons self-deception self-defeating sense shaped Similarly social choice social choice theory society sour grapes Stendhal strategies suggested things Tocqueville 1969 true trying University Press utilitarianism utility functions Veyne welfare wishful thinking Wollheim Zinoviev