{"product_id":"nuts-and-bolts-for-the-social-sciences-paperback-9780521376068","title":"Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences (Paperback) 9780521376068","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eNuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis 1989 book is intended as an introductory survey of the philosophy of the social sciences.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eJon Elster (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521376068, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 28 July 1989\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e194 pages, 19 b\/w illus.\u003cbr\u003e21.4 x 13.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.249 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\"Elster's book is a success.  It is lively, modest, thoughtful, and laced with the sort of vivid images that effectively make abstract ideas come alive.\"   Economics and Philosophy\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eThis 1989 book is intended as an introductory survey of the philosophy of the social sciences. It is essentially a work of exposition which offers a toolbox of mechanisms - nuts and bolts, cogs and wheels - that can be used to explain complex social phenomena. Within a brief compass, Jon Elster covers a vast range of topics. His point of departure is the conflict we all face between our desires and our opportunities. How can rational choice theory help us understand our motivation and behaviour? More significantly, what happens when the theory breaks down but we still cleave to a belief in the power of the rational? Elster describes the fascinating range of forms of irrationality - wishful thinking, the phenomenon of sour grapes, discounting the future in noncooperative behaviour. This is a remarkably lucid and comprehensive introduction to the social sciences for students of political science, philosophy, sociology and economics.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e Acknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e Part I. Introduction: 1. Mechanisms\u003cbr\u003e Part II. Human Action: 2. Desires and opportunities\u003cbr\u003e 3. Rational choice\u003cbr\u003e 4. When rationality fails\u003cbr\u003e 5. Myopia and foresight\u003cbr\u003e 6. Selfishness and altruism\u003cbr\u003e 7. Emotions\u003cbr\u003e 8. Natural and social selection\u003cbr\u003e 9. Reinforcement\u003cbr\u003e Part III. Interaction: 10. Unintended consequences\u003cbr\u003e 11. Equilibrium\u003cbr\u003e 12. Social norms\u003cbr\u003e 13. Collective action\u003cbr\u003e 14. Bargaining\u003cbr\u003e 15. Social institutions\u003cbr\u003e 16. Social change\u003cbr\u003e Bibliographical essay\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Social \u0026amp; political philosophy [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Social \u0026amp; political philosophy\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Social%20\u0026amp;%20political%20philosophy%20%5BHPS%5D%22\"\u003eHPS\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46002466029848,"sku":"9780521376068","price":35.68,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521376068i_892d73a4-ed4b-4e46-8416-b8a9cc67118f.jpg?v=1691376025","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/nuts-and-bolts-for-the-social-sciences-paperback-9780521376068","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}