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The Rationality of Avoiding Choice

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  • RANDALL COLLINS

    (University of California, Riverside)

Abstract

Esser makes a useful contribution in extracting from Schutz a model of the rationality of choosing among projects of action, thereby indicating a second order of rationality in choosing whether to calculate or to stick with an accepted routine. This concern for the rational calculability of action was not a major part of Schutz's philosophical interests, and the credit for developing the model should go to Esser. One consequence of this model is that social action should alternate between long periods of accepted routines and sudden changes to another bundle of habits. Esser's suggestion that institutional norms are the basis of routines does not help explain where alternative schemata come from, nor how individuals estimate the subjective probability of finding alternatives. The problems of limited cognition and of incommensurable scales exist at the level of second-order rationality as well. For these reasons, I have argued that the rational pursuit of interests operates via the flow of emotional energy attached to various courses of action.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall Collins, 1993. "The Rationality of Avoiding Choice," Rationality and Society, , vol. 5(1), pages 58-67, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:5:y:1993:i:1:p:58-67
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463193005001006
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    Cited by:

    1. Kroneberg, Clemens, 2005. "Die Definition der Situation und die variable Rationalität der Akteure : ein allgemeines Modell des Handelns auf der Basis von Hartmut Essers Frame-Selektionstheorie," Papers 05-11, Sonderforschungsbreich 504.
    2. Christian Lüdemann, 1998. "Framing And Choice Of Transportation Mode:," Rationality and Society, , vol. 10(2), pages 253-270, May.
    3. Kroneberg, Clemens, 2005. "Die Definition der Situation und die variable Rationalität der Akteure. Ein allgemeines Modell des Handelns auf der Basis von Hartmut Essers Frame-Selektionstheorie," Sonderforschungsbereich 504 Publications 05-11, Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Universität Mannheim;Sonderforschungsbereich 504, University of Mannheim.
    4. Kroneberg, Clemens, 2006. "The definition of the situation and variable rationality : the model of frame selection as a general theory of action," Papers 06-05, Sonderforschungsbreich 504.

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