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Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality
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Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality Hardcover - 1979

by Jon Elster (Editor)


From the publisher

This 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.

Details

  • Title Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality
  • Author Jon Elster (Editor)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 214
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • Date 1979
  • ISBN 9780521223881 / 0521223881
  • Weight 1.06 lbs (0.48 kg)
  • Library of Congress subjects Science - Philosophy, Social sciences - Philosophy
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 78015444
  • Dewey Decimal Code 153.43
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Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality
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Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality

by Elster, Jon [Editor]

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9780521223881
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Cambridge University Press, 1979-01-01. Hardcover. Good. 9x5x0. First ed.; 193 p., clean but with penciled underlining on pp. 4, 28, 36-38; binding firm; boards; unfaded gray boards with still bright gilt lettering have minimal wear, well-protected by glossy d.j. itself with minimal wear. Without underlining and very faint age-toning of paper this would be "like new.
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Ulysses and the Sirens _ Studies in Rationality and Irrationality

Ulysses and the Sirens _ Studies in Rationality and Irrationality

by Elster, Jon

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Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1979. Cloth/dust jacket Octavo. Hardcover. Very good/very good. olive cloth gilt lettering, dust jacket, 193 pp.
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Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality

Ulysses and the Sirens: Studies in Rationality and Irrationality

by Jon Elster

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ISBN 13
9780521223881
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Book itself is in very good condition, as is jacket. Jacket shows some shelf wear on edges. Dust jacket will be wrapped in Mylar upon purchase to protect jacket. Previous owner's name inscribed on inside of cover.
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ULYSSES AND THE SIRENS: STUDIES IN RATIONALITY AND IRRATIONALITY
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ULYSSES AND THE SIRENS: STUDIES IN RATIONALITY AND IRRATIONALITY

by Elster, Jon

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First Edition
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Hardcover
ISBN 13
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ISBN 10
0521223881
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Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Good; Owner's Name Inside. 1979. First Edition. Hardback. 0521223881 . 193 pages .
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