Optimizing engines: Rational choice in the neolithic?

Kim Sterelny

doi:10.1086/681602

Optimizing engines: Rational choice in the neolithic?

Kim Sterelny^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article has both substantive and methodological goals. Methodologically, it shows that rational choice theory (in its behavioral ecology form) is an especially important tool for guiding research in contexts in which agents appear to be acting against their best interests. The Neolithic transition is one such case, and the article develops a substantive conception of that transition, illustrating the heuristic power of behavioral ecology.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	402-423
Number of pages	22
Journal	Philosophy of Science
Volume	82
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/681602
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2015

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Optimizing engines: Rational choice in the neolithic?

Abstract

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