Theory of rational choice What is it?

It is said that human beings are a species that is characterized by their ability to reason about themselves and the environment. Does that mean that all our decisions have a rational base? According to the theory of rational choice, it is so. This economic theory tries to explain how reason forms the principle under which people make different elections.

The rational option theory has been used in fields such as economics, politics and psychology to explain people's behavior. Although, it also has several criticisms, mainly by other authors who question the concept of rationality. Next, we will know more about this theory and how can several aspects of human life explain.

Content

• What is the theory of rational choice?
• Selfishness and reason
• How is a rational decision?
• Are we really as rational as we think?
  • References

What is the theory of rational choice?

According to the theory of rational action, human beings make decisions taking into account certain individual interests and the limitations of the environment. In this way, we choose the route that, from our perspective, offers us a greater probability of satisfying our interests.

For example, suppose a child wants to eat dessert ice cream, but his mother indicates: If you eat the ice cream now, I will not give you the cake that I am preparing.

Then, you must make a decision, eat the ice cream now and give up the cake or wait for later to eat both. Based on the theory of rational choice, the most logical decision is to wait for later because interest is maximized. In that case, the child's interest was to eat something sweet and waiting could get a bigger reward.

In this sense, provided that human beings make decisions, we do it thinking about the best way to maximize our interest. Likewise, the theory of the rational option establishes that people also choose according to what a lower risk is. In other words, we choose what offers greater gratification and the least possible suffering.

To illustrate it better, we could imagine another classical situation: bets. Suppose we have the option of betting 100 coins for the possibility of winning 1.000 or bet 10.000 to win 100.000. Although the second option is tempting because the reward is bigger. But, at the same time, it is a greater loss for the person in case it does not win. Therefore, a smaller and less possibility of loss is much more likely to be chosen.

Selfishness and reason

Continuing with the above, one of the principles of rational choice theory is the assumption that all individuals are selfish. This means that people make decisions considering our personal interests. Every decision we make is done from our own perspective, valuing the profits and losses that could be for us. This happens regardless of how complex or simple the choice is.

This does not mean that human beings behave selfishly at all times. Rather, what the theory of rational action tells us is that selfishness and reason are essential aspects of behavior. However, it does not mean that it is the only thing that is taken into account at any time and circumstance.

How is a rational decision?

Now, something important when studying this theory is the concept of rationality. In this way, for a decision to be considered rational, a series of conditions must be met.

• The choice must satisfy one's own desire. The first quality of a rational decision is that it is done to comply with the interests of the individual.
• Beliefs must be rational. People handle different belief systems that are based on experiences of reality. At the time of making an election, the individual takes into consideration his own perspective that is built from his beliefs. In this way, their own desires must be consistent with respect to immediate reality.
• Investment of resources. Any action or decision implies an investment of time and energy in order to collect more information to make a more satisfactory choice. The more complex the action to be carried out, the more resources they will be invested in order to achieve more information.

Are we really as rational as we think?

As we mentioned at the beginning, people often say that one of the most remarkable qualities of humanity is their rationality. Within this order of ideas, a postulate as the theory of rational choice fits perfectly. However, there are authors who question the idea of ​​human rationality and, consequently, the principle of this theory.

First, the term rationality It does not have a universal definition in which all people agree. As a result, researchers in the field of the TER can have disagreements in the definition of rational behavior. Thus, it is difficult to integrate different studies based on this theory.

On the other hand, authors such as Amartya Sen point out that the theory of rational action puts individuals in the role of a social fool. With this term it refers to a being who lives without a moral code, dignity, commitments or emotions. Therefore, it is a fictional and invalid entity for the study of human behavior.

Finally, currents such as phenomenology, irrationalism and existentialism completely question the rationality of the human being. Thus, from these perspectives, the theory of rational choice has no place.

Common sense, the least common of the senses

References

• Abitbol, ​​p., & Botero, F. (2005). Theory of rational choice: conceptual structure and recent evolution. International Colombia, (62), 132-145.
• Dieterlen, p. (1987). Theory of rational choice, an example of methodological individualism. Studies, eleven, 27-40.
• Vidal de la Rosa, G. (2008). The theory of rational choice in social sciences. Sociological (Mexico), 23(67), 221-236.