The Multiple Self (Studies in Rationality and Social Change)

269 pages. Cover worn. Text tanned.The essays in this volume consider the question of whether the self is a unit y or whether it should be conceived without metaphor as divided - as a 'multiple self'. The issue is a central one for several disciplines. It bears directly on the account of rationality and the explanation of individual decision-making an d behaviour. Is the hypothesis of a multiple self required to deal with the prob lems of self-deception and weakness of will; and can the conceptual tools develo ped in the study of interpersonal conflict be applied to the analysis of intra-p ersonal struggle? Most of the essays, by a number of leading philosophers, psych ologists and economists, appear here for the first time. They bring out the inte rdisciplinary importance of the question, and will interest readers in all those areas. The volume will also usefully supplement The Foundations of Social Choic e Theory, edited by Jon Elster and Aanund Hylland, which appears in the same ser ies and is also concerned with the foundations of rationality.ReviewThis is a ve ry fine and informative book. Each chapter is written in a clear and relatively accessible manner by an established and sometimes illustrious specialist in his or her own discipline. The book as a whole is well-edited and introduced by Elst er. ClioFrom the Back CoverThe essays in this volume consider the question of wh ether the self is a unity or whether it should be conceived without metaphor as divided - as a 'multiple self'. The issue is a central one for several disciplin es. It bears directly on the account of rationality and the explanation of indiv idual decision-making and behavior.…