{"product_id":"ulysses-and-the-sirens-studies-in-rationality-and-irrationality-paperback-9780521269841","title":"Ulysses and the Sirens; Studies in Rationality and Irrationality (Paperback) 9780521269841","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eUlysses and the Sirens\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eStudies in Rationality and Irrationality\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis book, first published in 1979, is composed of studies in a descending sequence from perfect rationality, through imperfect and problematical rationality, to irrationality.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eJon Elster (Edited by)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521269841, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 25 October 1984\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e206 pages\u003cbr\u003e22.6 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.3 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eThis book was first published in 1984, as the revised edition of a 1979 original. The text is composed of studies in a descending sequence from perfect rationality, through imperfect and problematical rationality, to irrationality. Specifically human rationality is characterized by its capacity to relate strategically to the future, in contrast to the myopic 'gradient climbing' of natural selection. There is trenchant analysis of some of the parallels proposed in this connection between the biological and the social sciences. In the chapter on imperfect rationality the crucial notion is that of 'binding oneself', as Ulysses did before setting out to the Sirens, when weakness of will may prevent us from using our capacity for perfect rationality. The second half of the book deals with rational-actor theory, comparing its logical power and success to rival approaches, and with the varieties of irrationality expressed in contradictory beliefs and desires.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface to the revised edition\u003cbr\u003e Preface and acknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e Part I. Perfect Rationality: Beyond Gradient-Climbing: 1. Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 2. The locally maximizing machine\u003cbr\u003e 3. The globally maximizing machine\u003cbr\u003e 4. Strategic behaviour in animals and men\u003cbr\u003e 5. Functionalist explanation in sociology\u003cbr\u003e Part II. Imperfect Rationality: Ulysses and the Sirens: 1. Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 2. Towards a definition\u003cbr\u003e 3. Pascal\u003cbr\u003e 4. Descartes\u003cbr\u003e 5. Inconsistent time preferences\u003cbr\u003e 6. Endogenous change of preferences\u003cbr\u003e 7. Precommitment in animal behaviour\u003cbr\u003e 8. Abdication from power\u003cbr\u003e 9. Some conclusions and further questions\u003cbr\u003e Part III. Problematic Rationality: Some Unresolved Problems in the Theory of Rational Behaviour: 1. Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 2. Games without solutions\u003cbr\u003e 3. Lexicographic preferences\u003cbr\u003e 4. Subjective probability\u003cbr\u003e 5. Maximizing, satisficing and natural selection\u003cbr\u003e 6. Traditional behaviour and random behaviour\u003cbr\u003e 7. Explaining altruism\u003cbr\u003e 8. Inconstancy\u003cbr\u003e 9. Paradox\u003cbr\u003e 10. And so what\u003cbr\u003e Part IV. Irrationality: Contradictions of the Mind: 1. Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 2. Hate\u003cbr\u003e 3. Love\u003cbr\u003e 4. Self-deception\u003cbr\u003e References\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Philosophy [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Philosophy\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Philosophy%20%5BHP%5D%22\"\u003eHP\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":46003078168856,"sku":"9780521269841","price":23.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521269841i_2b52107a-c3d8-44f0-a014-4f1c2d0d6f69.jpg?v=1691374177","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/ulysses-and-the-sirens-studies-in-rationality-and-irrationality-paperback-9780521269841","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}