Review by Choice Review
Elster draws on his extensive work in the social sciences to examine the differences among choice, emotion, and addiction. He carefully analyzes the concept of rational decision making and contrasts it with the visceral, almost instantaneous reactions characteristic of emotion and addictions. He describes how physiological, cognitive, and cultural processes combine to produce specific behavioral patterns that differ among cultures, yet have underlying similarities. Elster's analysis illuminates the concept of choice by combining scientific and philosophical knowledge. This volume could be useful in several ways. For psychology students, it offers a comprehensive analysis that blends the boundaries of cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and the growing field of addictions research. For philosophy students, it offers a unique manner of approaching the issue of free will by using a concept--addiction--that has paradoxical implications inherent in its definition. The author provides useful footnotes and a brief but current review of the relevant literature. Upper-division undergraduates and above. D. L. Loers; Willamette University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
