Sour Grapes: Studies in the Subversion of RationalitySour Grapes aims to subvert orthodox theories of rational choice through the study of forms of irrationality. Dr Elster begins with an analysis of the notation of rationality, to provide the background and terms for the subsequent discussions, which cover irrational behaviour, irrational desires and irrational belief. These essays continue and complement the arguments of Jon Elster's earlier book, Ulysses and the Sirens. That was published to wide acclaim, and Dr Elster shows the same versatility here in drawing on philosophy, political and social theory, decision-theory, economics and psychology, as well as history and literature. |
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Contents
9 Selfdefeating political theories | 91 |
10 The obsessional search for meaning | 101 |
SOUR GRAPES | 109 |
2 A conceptual map | 111 |
3 Power freedom and welfare | 125 |
4 Sour grapes and social choice | 133 |
BELIEF BIAS AND IDEOLOGY | 141 |
2 Situationinduced beliefs | 143 |
3 Interestinduced beliefs | 148 |
4 The benefits of bias | 157 |
References | 167 |
Index | 176 |
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Common terms and phrases
achieve action actual adaptive preference formation addiction agent alternatives Amos Tversky argue argument artist assume attempt autonomy behaviour beliefs and desires Bourdieu bring causal character planning cognitive cognitive bias collective rationality command conceptual conceptual art consequences constraints counteradaptive preferences deliberate discussion dissonance distinction E. P. Thompson effect Elster essentially by-products ethical evidence ex ante example explained fact faking fallacy feasible set freedom frustration G. A. Cohen goal Ibid idea implies important impress individual induced intention intentionally interest involves irrational justified La Distinction less logic means mechanism minimal art negation Nisbett and Ross notion objection oneself optimal options outcome person political possible preference change problem reasons self-deception self-defeating sense shaped Similarly social choice social choice theory society sour grapes spontaneous Stendhal strategies substantive suggested things Tocqueville 1969 true trying utilitarianism utility functions Veyne welfare wishful thinking Zinoviev
Popular passages
Page 47 - The Soul selects her own Society — Then — shuts the Door — To her divine Majority — Present no more — Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing • At her low Gate — Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat — I've known her — from an ample nation — Choose One — Then — close the Valves of her attention — Like Stone...
Page 38 - By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
Page 84 - Exultation is the going Of an inland soul to sea, Past the houses, past the headlands, Into deep eternity! Bred as we, among the mountains, Can the sailor understand The divine intoxication Of the first league out from land?
Page 98 - The public realm, in other words, was reserved for individuality; it was the only place where men could show who they really and inexchangeably were. It was for the sake of this chance, and out of love for a body politic that made it possible to them all, that each was more or less willing to share in the burden of jurisdiction, defense, and administration of public affairs.
Page 104 - If so, one would be forced to suppose that the prison, and no doubt punishment in general, is not intended to eliminate offences, but rather to distinguish them, to distribute them, to use them...
Page 142 - He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars. General Good is the plea of the Scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer...
Page 50 - I can will knowledge, but not wisdom; going to bed, but not sleeping; eating, but not hunger; meekness, but not humility; scrupulosity, but not virtue; self-assertion or bravado, but not courage: lust, but not love; commiseration, but not sympathy; congratulations, but not admiration; religiosity, but not faith; reading, but not understanding.
Page 109 - Le Renard et les Raisins. Certain renard gascon , d'autres disent normand , Mourant presque de faim , vit au haut d'une treille Des raisins , mûrs apparemment "•, Et couverts d'une peau vermeille. Le galant en eût fait volontiers un repas-, Mais comme il n'y pouvait atteindre : Ils sont trop verts . dit-il , et bons pour des goujats.
Page 4 - A climber might want to rid himself of the weight and danger of holding another man on a rope, and he might know that by loosening his hold on the rope he could rid himself of the weight and danger. This belief and want might so unnerve him as to cause him to loosen his hold, and yet it might be the case that he never chose to loosen his hold, nor did he do it intentionally.
Page 79 - I will put Chaos into fourteen lines And keep him there; and let him thence escape If he be lucky; let him twist, and ape Flood, fire, and demon - his adroit designs Will strain to nothing in the strict confines Of this sweet Order, where, in pious rape, I hold his essence and amorphous shape, Till he with Order mingles and combines.
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Bibliographic information
| Title | Sour Grapes: Studies in the Subversion of Rationality Volume 1 of Cambridge Paperback Library |
| Author | Jon Elster |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 1985 |
| ISBN | 0521313686, 9780521313681 |
| Length | 177 pages |
| Subjects | › › Philosophy / Movements / Humanism Philosophy / Political |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |