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SUBJECTIVISM, UTILITY, AND AUTONOMY
Author(s) -
Lottenbach Hans
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
pacific philosophical quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1468-0114
pISSN - 0279-0750
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0114.1996.tb00156.x
Subject(s) - subjectivism , autonomy , relation (database) , rational choice theory (criminology) , epistemology , agency (philosophy) , value (mathematics) , rationality , point (geometry) , maximization , positive economics , economics , philosophy , mathematical economics , sociology , microeconomics , political science , mathematics , computer science , law , criminology , statistics , geometry , database
Abstract: Taking as a starting point a thesis of David Gauthier's about the status of Rational Choice Theory. I discuss the relation between a subjectivist theory of value and an account of rational agency that leaves room for autonomy. I argue that if autonomy presupposes an activity of practical reason, the maximization of subjective expected utility (as prescribed by Rational Choice Theory) cannot serve as the principle of practical reason.