Blame It on the Norm: The Challenge from "Adaptive Rationality". (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polonioli, Andrea
• Other Names: Bohman James guest-editor.; Roth Paul A. guest-editor.; Wylie Alison guest-editor.; Risjord Mark guest-editor.; Turner Stephen guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of the social sciences. Volume 44:Number 2(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: rationality -- heuristics -- cognitive biases -- adaptive behavior; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 300.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0048393113510468
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3931

Abstract

In this paper, I provide a qualified defense of the claim that cognitive biases are not necessarily signs of irrationality, but rather the result of using normative standards that are too narrow. I show that under certain circumstances, behavior that violates traditional norms of rationality can be adaptive. Yet, I express some reservations about the claim that we should replace our traditional normative standards. Furthermore, I throw doubt on the claim that the replacement of normative standards would license optimistic verdicts about human rationality.