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Coping Rationally with Unpreferred Preferences

Author

Listed:
  • David George

    (La Salle University)

Abstract

In this paper the "two-selves" models of self-imposed constraints are shown to carry normative implications only when the present-self acts to restrict the freedom of a future-self whose ability to act rationally has been clearly compromised. Conversely, when this future-self, if unrestrained, would act in a way which by any account would have to be called "rational," the normative power of this model is severely compromised. Metapreferences are demonstrated as an approach to such internal conflict that has the advantage of overcoming this normative incoherence. The act of ruling out certain future choices is shown to leave the agent better off if such a prohibition succeeds in altering the agent's preferences in a way that the agent prefers.

Suggested Citation

  • David George, 1998. "Coping Rationally with Unpreferred Preferences," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 24(2), pages 181-194, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:24:y:1998:i:2:p:181-194
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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/eeconj/Volume24/V24N2P181_194.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Goldfarb & Thomas C. Leonard & Steven Suranovic, 2006. "Modeling Alternative Motives for Dieting," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 32(1), pages 115-131, Winter.
    2. Gebhard Kirchgässner, 2017. "Soft paternalism, merit goods, and normative individualism," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 125-152, February.
    3. Read, Daniel, 2006. "Which side are you on? The ethics of self-command," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 681-693, October.
    4. Khalil, Elias L., 1999. "Sentimental fools: a critique of Amartya Sen's notion of commitment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 373-386, December.
    5. Clément, Valérie & Moureau, Nathalie & Vidal, Marion, 2009. "À la recherche des biens sous tutelle," L'Actualité Economique, Société Canadienne de Science Economique, vol. 85(4), pages 383-401, décembre.
    6. Elodie Brahic & Valérie Clément & Nathalie Moureau & Marion Vidal, 2008. "A la recherche des Merit Goods," Working Papers 08-08, LAMETA, Universtiy of Montpellier, revised Jun 2008.
    7. Martha Starr, 2006. "Growth and conflict in the developing world: Neo-liberal narratives and social-economy alternatives," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 64(2), pages 205-224.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Preference;

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory

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