Description
Social Choice Theory
Book summary
This book offers a pedagogical and accessible explanation of how and why people make decisions in a social context. The author, María Gloria Martín Antón, starts from the premise that we are social beings whose individual choices have collective consequences. Contrasting with the classical view of economics, which focuses on selfishness and self-interest, this work explores the complex space where personal decisions intertwine with socialization processes and group membership. An essential read for understanding the foundations of social choice and its impact on economics and ethics.
What is it about?
The work delves into Social Choice Theory, a discipline that analyzes how individual preferences are aggregated to form a collective decision. The author contrasts this theory with classical Economics, which assumes a rational and selfish individual who maximizes their benefit in the market. Through a clear and pedagogical exposition, the book demonstrates that our personal identity is forged in interaction with multiple groups and collectives, which conditions our decisions. Thus, it is revealed that the space of self-interest and selfishness is, in reality, an ideal world, while social reality is much more complex, where individual decisions generate inevitable group consequences.
Main topics
- Foundations of Social Choice Theory and its relationship with moral philosophy.
- The contrast between the selfish rationality of classical economics and social rationality.
- Processes of socialization and the formation of personal identity through groups and collectives.
- Analysis of group consequences derived from individual decisions.
- Ethical debate on the limits of self-interest in collective decision-making.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of philosophy, economics, political science, and sociology looking for a clear and rigorous introduction to social choice theory. It will also be of great interest to readers with intellectual curiosity about the mechanisms that govern collective decisions, the ethical dilemmas of cooperation, and the impact of society on our personal choices.
What this book offers
- A deep understanding of how individual decisions are transformed into collective results.
- A well-founded critique of classical economic models based solely on rational selfishness.
- Conceptual tools to analyze contemporary ethical and social dilemmas.
- An integrative vision that connects moral philosophy with economic theory and social psychology.
Technical specifications
- Author: Martín Antón, María Gloria
- Publisher: Erasmus Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Ethics and moral philosophy, ethical issues and debates, economic theory and philosophy
- Collection: Pensamiento del Presente
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2010
- Number of pages: 230
- Weight: 470 g
Editorial review
This is a reference work for those wishing to get started in social choice theory from a pedagogical perspective without sacrificing academic rigor. The author succeeds in bridging the gap between complex economic concepts and their practical application in daily life, offering the reader a valuable tool to understand the ethical and social foundations of our decisions. Her critical approach to classical models makes it a stimulating read for rethinking the relationship between the individual and the community.