Sour Grapes: Studies in the Subversion of Rationality (Cambridge Philosophy Classics) - Hardcover

Elster, Jon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107142024 ISBN 13: 9781107142022

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2016

Synopsis

Drawing on philosophy, political and social theory, decision-theory, economics, psychology, history and literature, Jon Elster's classic book Sour Grapes continues and complements the arguments of his acclaimed earlier book, Ulysses and the Sirens. Elster begins with an analysis of the notation of rationality, before tackling the notions of irrational behavior, desires and belief with highly sophisticated arguments that subvert the orthodox theories of rational choice. Presented in a fresh series livery and with a specially commissioned preface written by Richard Holton, illuminating its continuing importance to philosophical enquiry, Sour Grapes has been revived for a new generation of readers.

About this title

About the Author

Jon Elster is Robert K. Merton Professor of the Social Sciences at Columbia University and Professeur Honoraire at the Collège de France. He is the author or editor of thirty-four books on the philosophy of social science and rational choice theory, including Securities against Misrule: Juries, Assemblies, Elections (Cambridge, 2013) and Explaining Social Behavior: More Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences, 2nd edition (Cambridge, 2015).

From the Back Cover

Sour Grapes aims to subvert orthodox theories of rational choice through the study of forms of irrationality. Dr. Elster begins with an analysis of the notion of rationality, to provide the background and terms for the subsequent discussions, which cover irrational behaviour, irrational desires and irrational belief.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1107142024
• ISBN 13: 9781107142022
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 188