Books Details
Author : Cristina Bicchieri Pages : 264 pages Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Language : ISBN-10 : 0190622059 ISBN-13 : 9780190622053
Books Descriptions
In Norms in the Wild, distinguished philosopher Cristina Bicchieri argues that when it
comes to human behavior, social scientists place too much stress on rational
deliberation. In fact, she says, many choices occur without much deliberation at all.
Two people passing in a corridor automatically negotiate their shared space; cars at
an intersection obey traffic signals; we choose clothing based on our instincts for
what is considered appropriate. Bicchieri's theory of social norms accounts for these
automatic components of coordination, where individuals react automatically to cues
that focus their attention on what the norm is in that situation. Social norms thus act
as rules for making choices in a social world where people expect others -- often
unconsciously -- to follow the same rule. Some norms enable seamless social co-
operation, while others are less beneficial to human flourishing. Bicchieri is famous
for her interdisciplinary work on game theory and most recently her work
