Description
Book SynopsisThis new book introduces readers to the contributions of different sciences from economics to psychology that seek to shed light on how we make choices in our day-to-day lives Harper and his co-authors show that the Internet is transforming what we choose and how we choose.
Trade Review"In this excellent new book, Harper, Randall, and Sharrock offer a compelling criticism of scientific theories of human choice across a number of disciplines, from economics to socio-biology. The authors make a strong case for the view that human beings are considerably more rational than such accounts would have us think. In so doing, they give proponents of rational choice, nudge, and game theories much to worry about. This timely book is a must-read for anybody seeking a way through the conceptual entanglements we find ourselves in when attempting to explain human behaviour."
Constantine Sandis, Oxford Brookes University
"In this instructive and highly readable book, Harper, Randall and Sharrock critically examine theories of choice in economics, psychology, sociology, and philosophy, among other fields. In addition to presenting clear and concise accounts of the various theoretical claims and debates, they develop novel criticisms of their own. The book does not attempt to resolve debates about choice with a new and improved model, but instead it provides valuable lessons on how to understand claims and arguments made about choice in academic discourse and practical life."
Michael Lynch, Department of Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements
Chapter 1 Choice: a twenty-first century science?
Chapter 2 The origins: choice in economics
Chapter 3 An experimental choice
Chapter 4 Choice in context
Chapter 5 Evolutionary Choice
Chapter 6 Modelling Choice
Chapter 7 A new place of choice: the Internet
Chapter 8 Reasons in action
Bibliography
Index
