The Rationality Principle

Explanation in Social Sciences

• Social explanations resemble physical explanations but have unique challenges.

• Two types of problems:

  • Singular events: Explaining one-off events (e.g., a specific lunar eclipse).

  • Type of event: Explaining recurring events (e.g., seasonal unemployment).

• Social sciences use models to create typical scenarios.

Models in Natural and Social Sciences

• Natural sciences: Explain events like lunar eclipses with models (sun, earth, moon).

  • Models should show eclipses happening with a full moon.

  • Leads to deeper questions, like Newton's laws of motion.

  • Initial conditions are included in the model.

  • Universal laws (like Newton's) drive the model.

• Social sciences: Use situational analysis to model social situations.

  • Helps in understanding social events.

Animating Social Models

• Avoid using human psychology to drive social models.

• Situational analysis uses aims and knowledge, not concrete experiences.

• Assume agents act appropriately based on the situation and 'Rationality principle'.

  • Situation includes goals and knowledge.

  • 'Rationality principle': acting appropriately to the situation.

The Rationality Principle

• The rationality principle suggests people act rationally.

• It's used to integrate explanatory theory into the situation analysis.

• The animating law becomes a zero principle.

  • Actors act within the confines of the model.

Rationality Principle as Methodological Postulate

• The rationality principle is not a testable theory.

• Situational analyses are the actual testable theories.

• Models can be assessed and debated.

• Testing models isn't straightforward.

  • Models are simplified.

  • Simplification reduces testability.

  • Tests can identify the best models.

  • Historical research can test situational analysis.

Validity of the Rationality Principle

• The rationality principle is often seen as inherently valid but is actually false.

• People don't always act appropriately.

• There are vast differences in how people see situations.

• A principle that isn't universally true is false.

• An explanation using a false principle and a model is also false.

Models as Oversimplifications

• All models, whether physical or social, are simplifications.

• The rationality principle is debated.

  • Methodological: Not empirically tested or false.

  • Empirical: Part of social theories and tested/rejected with the theory.

• The rationality principle is part of every testable social theory.

Testing Theories and the Rationality Principle

• When a theory fails, identify the problem area.

• It's better to question the model, not the rationality principle, because models are more informative and testable.

• The rationality principle is known to be false but is a useful approximation.

• If a theory fails significantly, the model is likely the cause.

• Replacing the rationality principle introduces uncertainty.

• Theories are tested holistically, comparing different theories using the rationality principle.

Churchill's Dictum and the Rationality Principle

• Churchill: Wars are a competition in incompetence.

• This model doesn't rely on the rationality principle.

• Leaders may not fully understand the situation.

• Actions can be seen as appropriate based on their limited view.

• To understand actions, reconstruct a broader view of the situation.

• Actions align with their understanding of the situation.

Understanding Actions

• The rationality principle helps understand actions, even irrational ones.

• Explain actions based on their aims and information.

• Understand actions by considering a wider context.

• Understanding involves seeing the logic in their (potentially mistaken) view.

• Explain how they developed that view.

• They rigidly stick to their view to maintain a sense of understanding.

Freud and Irrationality

• Freud isn't about discovering irrationality, but uses situational models and the rationality principle.

• Neurosis is a childhood response to a difficult situation.

• Choosing a neurosis is rational, like avoiding a car only to be hit by a bike.

• Freud's therapy is rationalistic: understanding the childhood situation resolves the neurosis.

Rationality vs. Tautology

• Explaining everything with rationality isn't tautological.

• Tautologies are obviously true, while the rationality principle is an approximation and is false.

Rationality and Irrationality

• Healthy beliefs are open to correction.

• Fixed opinions resemble those of someone who is mad.

• Committed individuals resist correcting even widely accepted mistakes.

• Those who value commitment over reason are irrational.

• This commitment arises from fear of losing their worldview.

• Commitment and fanaticism are close to irrationality.

Conclusion: Rationality as a Personal Attitude vs. The Rationality Principle

• Rationality as a personal attitude: willingness to revise beliefs through discussion.

• The rationality principle doesn't assume people are rational in this way.

• It's a minimal principle assuming actions fit our view of the situation.

• The rationality principle drives explanatory models.

• It's known to be approximate but reduces uncertainty in models.

• Without it, models would be erratic.