From Economic Behaviour to Behavioural Economics

Abstract: Mainstream economics postulates the existence of an economic man endowed with a rational and self-interested behaviour. The purpose of this article is to analyze the relevance of this attributes, since the economic behaviour is both a form of human action and the object of the study of economics. Moreover, we go further and examine the role of behavioural economics and the way in which it relates to the traditional model

Determinants of home heating system choice:a stated preference experiment

Abstract. The heating of residential areas contributes to over 80% of total energy consumption in Finland. This indicates huge possibilities to save energy. The objective of the thesis is to identify the factors that affect a homeowner’s decision making while choosing a heating system. Among various factors that influence the homeowners’ choice, this thesis investigates three types of determinants: the features of the heating system, the features of the building and the socio-demographic characteristics of the homeowner. The thesis uses the stated preference technique called choice experiment. In the choice experiment, respondents were presented with choice scenarios where the main heating system choices, namely ground heat, exhaust air heat pump, solid wood boiler, wood pellet boiler, electric storage heating and district heating, were described using five attributes which took various levels. In the choice analysis, the preference heterogeneity for the heating systems and attributes was modelled. The results indicate that among the attributes of the heating system, homeowners view costs as the most important ones, especially the operating costs. The results also show that their heating system choice is influenced by socio-demographic characteristics as well as building and heating system attributes. Preference heterogeneity in main heating system choices can be explained by individual characteristics such as age, education and forest ownership as well as building attributes such as energy saving capabilities of houses. Similarly, preference heterogeneity in comfort of use and environmental friendliness attributes were explained by the size of the house as well as forest ownership by the homeowner

Colonization of the normative realm in the age of instrumentality

This dissertation aims to establish a contemporary model of why apolitical actors engage in the political realm. The project will intersperse practical cases with theoretical concerns. I look at two cases: the role of Soccer Hooligans in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and the Occupy Austin Movement (2015). The goal of these juxtapositions is to provide insights into the realities behind political theories, as I accommodate additional strands of theory that have received little attention to date in studies of political motivation. I begin by showing how inadequate Rational Choice Theory (RCT) has proven in explaining political action and then move onto employing central concepts from Heidegger, Arendt, Marcuse, Foucault, Habermas, and Wendy Brown to create a richer picture of what choice means for subjects. With the aid of the categories these thinkers provide, I then build an analytical heuristic device called the Three Realms of Action Model. My claim is that this model, which explains the relationship between the normative, political and economic realms can better explain political choice. The actions of nonpolitical actors might seem non-rational when viewed from within a purely economic realm, but switching between the three realms and the rationalites they inhabit, provides the three-pronged lens needed to make a more nuanced study of the power relations between political actors. To better illustrate how subjects negotiate the realms, I use familiar historical sites. Each historical event allows us to inhabit an epistemology that describes how the realms bargain for dominance with each other. The insight I come away with here is that the economic realm has colonized the normative and political realms in the United States. But despite the dominance of the economic realm, political action or choice is not driven “only” by market rationality but also by a shifting play of the power in the three realms where we see new and competing rationalities. This allows us not only to see “choice” as a more dynamic and nuanced category but also better clues us into how it is manipulated and even subverted.Germanic Studie

Aiding and Altruism: A Mythopsycholegal Analysis

This Article asserts that traditional tort law should be modified to provide for a duty to act in situations in which a reasonable person would act altruistically. Part I examines traditional and more recent tort doctrine governing the duty to aid. Part II discusses compassion from philosophical, literary, and mythological points of view and explores how these viewpoints inform compassion\u27s possible relationship to a legal duty to help. Part III considers the connections between psychological theories and studies of action, altruism, and empathy. In addition to Batson\u27s work, I reexamine the classic studies of Latan6 and Darley and the application of their conclusions to the debate about the duty to help. I then analyze legal theorists\u27 discussions of a duty to help in light of the psychological evidence, concluding that while some proposals for modifying the traditional rule are consistent with the psychological evidence, both scholars and courts need to consider more factors than they have so far. Most notably, Latané and Darley\u27s work, showing that a group of bystanders who know each other are more likely to act than an individual bystander, suggests that courts should consider the number of bystanders present and their relationship to one another. Batson\u27s work further suggests that tort law should consider the extent to which an actor under a particular set of circumstances could be expected to feel empathy for another. Finally, Part IV urges judges and other lawmakers who shape tort rules regarding action to open their eyes to the human capacity for compassionate action. Courts slavishly tied to a model of behavior based on egoistic, self-interested motivations reinforce that model, while Batson\u27s work reveals the limitations of that model given the prevalence of empathically-induced altruistic action. Courts and other policy makers should recognize altruistic action not only as possible and desirable but, in fact, reasonable. In deciding cases and writing laws they must focus on those factors psychologists have determined are most likely to influence a person to help others