Paul W. Glimcher
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199744251
- eISBN:
- 9780199863433
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199744251.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Neuropsychology
A new academic field, neuroeconomics, has emerged at the border of the social and natural sciences. This book argues that a meaningful interdisciplinary synthesis of the study of human and animal ...
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A new academic field, neuroeconomics, has emerged at the border of the social and natural sciences. This book argues that a meaningful interdisciplinary synthesis of the study of human and animal choice is not only desirable, but also well underway, and so it is time to develop formally a foundational approach for the field. This book does so by laying the philosophical and empirical groundwork and integrating the theory of choice and valuation with the relevant physical constraints and mechanisms. While there has been an intense debate about the value and prospects of neuroeconomics, this book argues that existing data from neuroeconomics' three parent fields—neuroscience, psychology, and economics—already specify the basic features of the primate choice mechanism at all three levels of analysis. Its central argument is that combining these three disciplines gives us enough insight to define many of the fundamental features of decision making that have previously eluded scholars working within each individual field.Less
A new academic field, neuroeconomics, has emerged at the border of the social and natural sciences. This book argues that a meaningful interdisciplinary synthesis of the study of human and animal choice is not only desirable, but also well underway, and so it is time to develop formally a foundational approach for the field. This book does so by laying the philosophical and empirical groundwork and integrating the theory of choice and valuation with the relevant physical constraints and mechanisms. While there has been an intense debate about the value and prospects of neuroeconomics, this book argues that existing data from neuroeconomics' three parent fields—neuroscience, psychology, and economics—already specify the basic features of the primate choice mechanism at all three levels of analysis. Its central argument is that combining these three disciplines gives us enough insight to define many of the fundamental features of decision making that have previously eluded scholars working within each individual field.
Jamie Terence Kelly
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691155197
- eISBN:
- 9781400845545
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691155197.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to argue that, just as in economics and law, normative democratic theory must begin to pay attention to the picture of human ...
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This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to argue that, just as in economics and law, normative democratic theory must begin to pay attention to the picture of human choice described by empirical psychology. Thus, it develops a behavioral approach to normative democratic theory. The book focuses on judgment-based theories—those that construe votes as judgments about the common good (or collective interest), rather than as individual preferences over electoral outcomes. It also focuses on framing effects, which occur when different but equivalent formulations of a problem result in substantively different decisions being made. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.Less
This introductory chapter first sets out the book's purpose, which is to argue that, just as in economics and law, normative democratic theory must begin to pay attention to the picture of human choice described by empirical psychology. Thus, it develops a behavioral approach to normative democratic theory. The book focuses on judgment-based theories—those that construe votes as judgments about the common good (or collective interest), rather than as individual preferences over electoral outcomes. It also focuses on framing effects, which occur when different but equivalent formulations of a problem result in substantively different decisions being made. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.
Baird Tipson
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190212520
- eISBN:
- 9780190212544
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190212520.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society, History of Christianity
As hearers came to recognize the demands that godly communities made on their adherents, they might understandably ask why anyone would want to take on religious obligations so clearly at odds with ...
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As hearers came to recognize the demands that godly communities made on their adherents, they might understandably ask why anyone would want to take on religious obligations so clearly at odds with what most townspeople considered appropriate (not to mention at odds with the assumptions about human nature made by most twenty-first-century intellectuals). What, in the final analysis, could account for human choices? Hooker (and Stone) stood in a tradition, originating with Augustine of Hippo, which argued that individual choices stemmed from a fundamental orientation of the will. Their extreme form of Augustinianism decisively shaped Hartford theology.Less
As hearers came to recognize the demands that godly communities made on their adherents, they might understandably ask why anyone would want to take on religious obligations so clearly at odds with what most townspeople considered appropriate (not to mention at odds with the assumptions about human nature made by most twenty-first-century intellectuals). What, in the final analysis, could account for human choices? Hooker (and Stone) stood in a tradition, originating with Augustine of Hippo, which argued that individual choices stemmed from a fundamental orientation of the will. Their extreme form of Augustinianism decisively shaped Hartford theology.
Emily Katz Anhalt
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780300217377
- eISBN:
- 9780300231762
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300217377.003.0002
- Subject:
- Literature, Criticism/Theory
This chapter offers a narrative retelling of the Iliad, followed by a discussion of the story's themes and emphases, and their importance for modern societies confronting the same issues. The Iliad ...
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This chapter offers a narrative retelling of the Iliad, followed by a discussion of the story's themes and emphases, and their importance for modern societies confronting the same issues. The Iliad cultivates the audience's capacity for critical reflection and rational judgment. It emphasizes the role of human choices from the outset, thus exposing the problem that rage poses for the community. The confrontation between Agamemnon and Achilles, their obsession with honor, their short fuses and willingness to indulge their own anger will have adverse effects for the community that has chosen to honor them. Homer's narrative reveals the inadequacy of vengeance and hints that empathy better serves an individual's self-interest. Above all, the Iliad calls into question the characters' narrow definition of great achievement as success in warfare.Less
This chapter offers a narrative retelling of the Iliad, followed by a discussion of the story's themes and emphases, and their importance for modern societies confronting the same issues. The Iliad cultivates the audience's capacity for critical reflection and rational judgment. It emphasizes the role of human choices from the outset, thus exposing the problem that rage poses for the community. The confrontation between Agamemnon and Achilles, their obsession with honor, their short fuses and willingness to indulge their own anger will have adverse effects for the community that has chosen to honor them. Homer's narrative reveals the inadequacy of vengeance and hints that empathy better serves an individual's self-interest. Above all, the Iliad calls into question the characters' narrow definition of great achievement as success in warfare.
Allan Young
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520247925
- eISBN:
- 9780520939639
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520247925.003.0007
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Anthropology, Theory and Practice
This chapter discusses the concept of “transient mental illness.” It outlines the specific constellation of psychiatric, political, and social processes that are slowly leading to a new category of ...
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This chapter discusses the concept of “transient mental illness.” It outlines the specific constellation of psychiatric, political, and social processes that are slowly leading to a new category of mental illness, namely the self-traumatized perpetrator. The chapter explains how the recycling of knowledge, institutions, and claims leads to new social phenomena and affect, while creating distinct possibilities for human choice and action.Less
This chapter discusses the concept of “transient mental illness.” It outlines the specific constellation of psychiatric, political, and social processes that are slowly leading to a new category of mental illness, namely the self-traumatized perpetrator. The chapter explains how the recycling of knowledge, institutions, and claims leads to new social phenomena and affect, while creating distinct possibilities for human choice and action.
Mark White
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804768948
- eISBN:
- 9780804777636
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804768948.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, History of Economic Thought
This book introduces the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant—in particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and character—to economic theory, explaining the importance of integrating these two ...
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This book introduces the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant—in particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and character—to economic theory, explaining the importance of integrating these two streams of intellectual thought. Mainstream economics is rooted in classical utilitarianism, recommending that decision makers choose the options that are expected to generate the largest net benefits. For individuals, the standard economic model fails to incorporate the role of principles in decision-making, and also denies the possibility of true choice, which can be independent of preferences and principles altogether. For policymakers, standard decision-making frameworks recommend tradeoffs that are beneficial in terms of material goods or wealth, but may be morally questionable from a more person-centered perspective. Integrating Kantian ethics affects economics in three important ways. This integration allows for a more complete understanding of human choice, incorporating not just preferences and constraints, but also principles and strength of will or character. It demonstrates the broader impact of welfare economics, which generates policies that affect not only persons' well-being, but also their dignity and autonomy. Finally, it reconciles the traditional, individualist stance in economic models of choice with the social responsibility emphasized by many systems of philosophical ethics and heterodox schools of economics.Less
This book introduces the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant—in particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and character—to economic theory, explaining the importance of integrating these two streams of intellectual thought. Mainstream economics is rooted in classical utilitarianism, recommending that decision makers choose the options that are expected to generate the largest net benefits. For individuals, the standard economic model fails to incorporate the role of principles in decision-making, and also denies the possibility of true choice, which can be independent of preferences and principles altogether. For policymakers, standard decision-making frameworks recommend tradeoffs that are beneficial in terms of material goods or wealth, but may be morally questionable from a more person-centered perspective. Integrating Kantian ethics affects economics in three important ways. This integration allows for a more complete understanding of human choice, incorporating not just preferences and constraints, but also principles and strength of will or character. It demonstrates the broader impact of welfare economics, which generates policies that affect not only persons' well-being, but also their dignity and autonomy. Finally, it reconciles the traditional, individualist stance in economic models of choice with the social responsibility emphasized by many systems of philosophical ethics and heterodox schools of economics.
