Abstract rationality: The 'logical' structure of attitudes

Robert Sugden, Franz Dietrich, Antonios Staras

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We present an abstract model of rationality that focuses on structural properties of attitudes. Rationality requires coherence between your attitudes, such as your beliefs, values, and intentions. We define three 'logical' conditions on attitudes: consistency, completeness, and closedness. They parallel the familiar logical conditions on beliefs, but contrast with standard rationality conditions like preference transitivity. We establish a formal correspondence between our logical conditions and standard rationality conditions. Addressing John Broome's programme 'rationality through reasoning', we formally characterize how you can (not) become more logical by reasoning. Our analysis connects rationality with logic, and enables logical talk about multi-attitude psychology.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEconomics and Philosophy
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 30 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • rationality requirements
  • reasoning
  • Broome

Cite this