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On the Limits of Rational Choice

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  • ILJA SRUBAR

    (University of Constance Translation by Allison Wetterlin and Thomas Luckmann)

Abstract

Hartmut Esser states an extensive correspondence of rational choice theory and Alfred Schütz's interpretative sociology. He postulates the possibility of explaining everyday behavior using a rational choice (RC) approach that is “relaxed†by employment of actors' subjective knowledge. My comment traces the stated correspondence to its origins in Schütz's work and points out the limits of the RC model that emerge from Schütz's discussion of Ludwig von Mises' theory of action: Although the RC approach recognizes that the conditions of action are selected by actors' subjective stock of knowledge, it does not offer any theoretical explanation for the social constitution of this knowledge, nor for the selectivity of its everyday structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilja Srubar, 1993. "On the Limits of Rational Choice," Rationality and Society, , vol. 5(1), pages 32-46, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:5:y:1993:i:1:p:32-46
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463193005001004
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    1. Hartmut Esser, 1993. "The Rationality of Everyday Behavior," Rationality and Society, , vol. 5(1), pages 7-31, January.
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    1. Christian Lüdemann, 1998. "Framing And Choice Of Transportation Mode:," Rationality and Society, , vol. 10(2), pages 253-270, May.

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