This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Richard Bradley LAK2.03
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.
Available only for 4th year students in the BSc. PPE.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Formal Methods of Philosophical Argumentation (PH104).
Students must have completed Microeconomic Principles I (EC201) or Microeconomic Principles II (EC202)
Course content
This course introduces the three main components of rational choice theory: individual decision theory (including probability theory), game theory and social choice theory. Students will become familiar with the kinds of problems and solution techniques (the logical/mathematical machinery) that characterise these areas of rational choice. The primary aim of the course, however, is to philosophically examine the theories in question. To this end we examine the basic assumptions underlying the dominant decision and social choice models, and how these assumptions relate to the role(s) these models are supposed to play in various areas of philosophy (e.g. philosophy of science and ethics) and in the social sciences.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 2 essays and 2 problem sets in the MT and LT.
Indicative reading
Richard Jeffrey, The Logic of Decision, Michael Resnik, Choices: an introduction to decision theory, Martin Peterson An Introduction to Decision Theory, Amartya Sen Collective Choice and Social Welfare, Duncan Luce and Howard Raiffa Games and Decisions, Wulf Gaertner A Primer in Social Choice Theory, Ken Binmore, Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.
The exam will consist of three sections. Section A will contain short questions of a technical nature. Sections B and C will contain longer essay questions
Key facts
Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.