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Neuroeconomics

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Epistemology of Decision

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Philosophy ((BRIEFSPHILOSOPH))

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Abstract

The rational choice theory (TRC), in its standard interpretation, is not presented as a causal theory, but as a formal-normative theory. Experimental economics, replacing the standard assumptions regarding the interpretation of the TRC’s more realistic assumptions - for example, a utility function that includes social preferences - has allowed us to improve the prediction. However, experimental economics has failed to overcome another theoretical difficulty that affects the TRC, the absence of a formal causal link to the entities hypothesized. In the end we are before the same problem Chomskyan linguistics faced. Chomsky, in fact, proposed a formal model of explanation of linguistic competency assuming a division into elements (e.g., verbal or nominal groups) and operations (the rules of formation and transformation of sentences).

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  1. Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, via Concezione 6-8, 98121, Messina, Italy

    Mario Graziano

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Graziano, M. (2013). Neuroeconomics. In: Epistemology of Decision. SpringerBriefs in Philosophy. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5428-7_2

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