{"product_id":"the-cunning-of-reason-paperback-9780521270397","title":"The Cunning of Reason (Paperback) 9780521270397","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eThe Cunning of Reason\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eMartin Hollis (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521270397, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 18 February 1988\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e232 pages\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 13.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.33 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'Anyone reading The Cunning of Reason will find much that is thought-provoking in Hollis' stylish and richly allusive discussion.' Sociology\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eThis book is a philosophers' attempt to bring together ideas put forward by economists, sociologists and political theorists. The author begins by exploring the economist's assumption that action is rational if it helps to achieve the agent's goals as efficiently as possible. The assumption is explored with the aid of rational-choice theory and game-theory, but it is rejected in the end for failing to account for the elements of trust and morality which rational social life requires. A discussion of 'Rational Expectations' and of 'maximising' and 'satisficing' leads to a portrait of social actors as rational role-players. Rationality is, finally, the expression of the self in a social world. The book intervenes in intense current debates within and among several disciplines. Its concern is with the true nature of social actors and the proper character of social science. Its arguments are the more challenging for being presented in a simple, incisive and lucid prose. It will be of particular interest to philosophers, social theorists and social scientists interested in the philosophical aspects of their discipline.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e 1. The sovereign artificer\u003cbr\u003e 2. Rational choice\u003cbr\u003e 3. Norms and institutions\u003cbr\u003e 4. The Cunning of Reason I: unintended consequences\u003cbr\u003e 5. Motivation\u003cbr\u003e 6. External and internal reasons\u003cbr\u003e 7. Rational expectations\u003cbr\u003e 8. Maximising and satisficing\u003cbr\u003e 9. The Cunning of Reason II: functions and rules\u003cbr\u003e 10. Reasons and roles\u003cbr\u003e 11. Rationality and understanding\u003cbr\u003e 12. The Cunning of Reason III: self and society\u003cbr\u003e Bibliography\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":46002520457496,"sku":"9780521270397","price":35.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521270397i_9c603d2f-670c-4ae4-9090-25ad576b04ad.jpg?v=1691374191","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-cunning-of-reason-paperback-9780521270397","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}