PH301     
Rationality and Choice

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Richard Bradley LAK2.03

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is not available to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Formal Methods of Philosophical Argumentation (PH104) or Intermediate Logic (PH112) 

Microeconomic Principles I (EC201), Microeconomic Principles II (EC202) or Microeconomics II (EC2A3)

Course content

This course introduces the three main components of rational choice theory: individual decision theory (including probability theory), game theory and social choice theory. Students will become familiar with the kinds of problems and solution techniques (the logical/mathematical machinery) that characterise these areas of rational choice. The primary aim of the course, however, is to philosophically examine the theories in question. To this end we examine the basic assumptions underlying the dominant decision and social  choice models, and how these assumptions relate  to the role(s) these models are supposed to play in various areas of philosophy (e.g. philosophy of science and ethics) and in the social sciences.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the AT. 15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the WT.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay and 1 problem sets in the AT and WT.

Indicative reading

Richard Jeffrey, The Logic of Decision, Michael Resnik, Choices: an introduction to decision theory, Martin Peterson An Introduction to Decision Theory, Amartya Sen Collective Choice and Social Welfare, Duncan Luce and Howard Raiffa Games and Decisions, Wulf Gaertner A Primer in Social Choice Theory, Ken Binmore, Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Assessment

Exam (40%, duration: 2 hours) in the spring exam period.
Coursework (30%) in the AT.
Coursework (30%) in the WT.

The final exam will contain short questions of a technical nature. 

Summative coursework will consist of a combination of essays and exercises.

Key facts

Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

Total students 2022/23: 8

Average class size 2022/23: 8

Capped 2022/23: No

Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (MT & LT)

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills