Rationality and Freedom

Author: Amartya Sen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Rationality and Freedom are concepts that are both profound and highly controversial in philosophy and the social sciences. Rationality and Freedom delves into several common notions of rationality, pointing out that rationality means we must subject our values and choices to critical scrutiny. On this basis, Sen examines various concepts of rationality in individual and social choice, such as decision-making under uncertainty, cost-benefit analysis, and environmental valuation, among others. Another important theme of the book is freedom. It focuses on the examination of the opportunities and processes of freedom, involving cutting-edge issues in contemporary freedom theory, such as the relevance of preferences, the cardinality of opportunities, plural preferences, and the impossibility of Pareto freedom, among others. Sen argues that there is a reversible relationship between rationality and freedom—freedom can only be fully evaluated when considering individuals' reasonable preferences and values, and conversely, rationality also demands freedom of thought. Sen uses social choice theory to eloquently explain the requirements of reasoning and various methods of evaluating freedom. This book is the culmination of Sen's long-standing reflections on economic theory and philosophical issues, offering profound insights into rationality, freedom, and social justice. It is well-known that Sen is an economist who focuses on poverty and inequality. The fundamental concepts and logic expounded in this book vividly reflect the theoretical foundation that underpins his real-world concerns. For China, a society in transition, this highly abstract logic serves as a beneficial tool for reflecting on the current situation and confirming consensus.