Natural Reasons Personality and Polity [Paperback]

Hurley here revives a classical idea about rationality in a modern framework, by developing analogies between the structure of personality and the structure of society in the context of contemporary work in philosophy of mind, ethics, decision theory and social choice theory. The book examines the rationality of decisions and actions, and illustrates the continuity of philosophy of mind on the one hand, and ethics and jurisprudence on the other. A major thesis of the book is that arguments drawn from the philosophy of mind may be used to undermine widely held subjectivist positions in ethics and politico-economic theory. The work is inspired by the philosophies of Wittgenstein and Davidson, but goes on to connect their arguments about interpretation with formal work in decision theory and social choice theory, and with the theory of adjudication.

An important, densely argued, ingenious book about the problems of choice among conflicting values and about how the concept of a person influences and is influenced by rational decisions about those values....The formidable array of disciplines in what she describes as a doggedly interdisciplinary work is truly impressive. The argument is everywhere perceptive and subtle, detailed and penetrating. --The Philosophical Quarterly

Its scale, its scope, its argumentativeness, its assurance of tone, inspire nothing but awe in the reader. --International Studies in Philosophy

A large, colourful, powerful, and complicated book....It will have an important place in the philosophical literature. --Times Literary Supplement

I applaud warmly. There is something to think about on every page and the book's ambition is inspiring. --Philosophy

Highly recommended for any library supporting at least an undergraduate major in philosophy. --Choice