Description
Russell Hardin shows us the need to face the consequences of indeterminacy. Maximization of independent variables is impossible, standard decision theory is unreal (as is Rawls's theory of justice), and there are no easy answers--though 'ordinary people manage to get through life most of the time.' Combining theoretical virtuosity with common sense, this is one of the essential books of our time. -- Jan Narveson, University of Waterloo This is an important and first-rate piece of work. Russell Hardin is right to assert that ignoring inescapable indeterminacy is a mistake. The issues he raises are momentous and timely, both in the realm of abstract economic, political, and moral theory, as well as in the study and practice of public policy. So Hardin's frontal attack deserves (and needs) to be considered. -- Christopher W. Morris, author of "An Essay on the Modern State"
About the Author
Russell Hardin is Professor of Politics at New York University. He is the author of numerous books including "One for All" (Princeton), "Liberalism, Constitutionalism, and Democracy", and "Morality within the Limits of Reason".
Reviews
"Indeterminacy and Society is a welcome addition to social theory. Hardin does an admirable job of demonstrating why indeterminacy cannot be ignored, and helps lay the foundations of a mutual advantage theory that takes indeterminacy seriously."--Colin Farrelly, Philosophy in Review "Hardin shows us the importance of recognizing indeterminacy for a wide range of theories, from rational choice to deontological moral theory. The significance of this work for political and moral philosophy should not be underestimated."--Sarah Marshall, Philosophical Quarterly "This book achieves an unusual feat of balance--conveying both the profundity and the limitations of attempts to use rational choice tools to address grand questions about ideal social organization."--Steven Rytina, American Journal of Sociology
Book Information
ISBN 9780691123929
Author Russell Hardin
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publisher Princeton University Press
Weight(grams) 28g