Sour Grapes Studies in the Subversion of Rationality [Hardcover]

This book is Jon Elster's influential study of irrationality, challenging orthodox theories of rational choice.Jon Elster's influential study of irrationality subverts orthodox theories of rational choice. Presented in a fresh twenty-first-century series livery, and with a specially commissioned new preface, it has been revived for a new generation of readers in economics, psychology, political and social theory, and philosophy.Jon Elster's influential study of irrationality subverts orthodox theories of rational choice. Presented in a fresh twenty-first-century series livery, and with a specially commissioned new preface, it has been revived for a new generation of readers in economics, psychology, political and social theory, and philosophy.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.Preface to this edition Richard Holton; Acknowledgements; 1. Rationality; 2. States that are essentially by-products; 3. Sour grapes; 4. Belief, bias and ideology; References; Index.