Alchemies of the Mind: Rationality and the Emotions

by Jon Elster

Jon Elster has written a comprehensive, wide-ranging book on the emotions in which he considers the full range of theoretical approaches. Drawing on history, literature, philosophy and psychology Elster presents a complete account of the role of the emotions in human behavior. Combining methodological and theoretical arguments with empirical case studies and written with Elster's customary verve and economy, this book will have a broad appeal to those in philosophy, psychology, economics, political science, as well as literary studies, history, and sociology.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology, Emotion, Sociology

464 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1998

About the author

Jon Elster ، born 22 February 1940, Oslo) is a Norwegian social and political theorist who has authored works in the philosophy of social science and rational choice theory. He is also a notable proponent of analytical Marxism, and a critic of neoclassical economics and public choice theory, largely on behavioral and psychological grounds.

In 2016, he was awarded the 22nd Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science for his contributions to political science.

Reviews

[Nick Geiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, lucid analysis of the role of emotions in decision-making and social science. Seems like there are very few people with this kind of multi-disciplinary ambition.

[A. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, a comprehensive and incisive analysis of the emotions. Did not read the last 50-odd pages.

[Bryan]

Humans are irrational, emotionally driven creatures.