Commitment and Resoluteness in Rational Choice

Explores the interesting and challenging philosophical terrain where issues regarding cooperation, commitment, and control intersect.

Chrisoula Andreou (Author)

9781009211574, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 March 2022

75 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 0.4 cm, 0.101 kg

Drawing and building on the existing literature, this Element explores the interesting and challenging philosophical terrain where issues regarding cooperation, commitment, and control intersect. Section 1 discusses interpersonal and intrapersonal Prisoner's Dilemma situations, and the possibility of a set of unrestrained choices adding up in a way that is problematic relative to the concerns of the choosers involved. Section 2 focuses on the role of precommitment devices in rational choice. Section 3 considers the role of resoluteness in rational choice and action. And Section 4 delves into some related complications concerning the nature of actions and the nature of intentions.

Introduction: Why Commit?
1. Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Prisoner's Dilemma Situations
2. Precommitting
3. Resoluteness
4. Taking Extended Agents Seriously
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Philosophy: logic [HPL], Philosophy [HP], Decision theory: general [GPQ]