Verlag:
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science, Evanston, IL
Zusammenfassung:
This paper suggests definitions for two closely related terms which are (or could be) used in the social sciences. First, "rationality" is defined as a behavior which will not be altered as a result of awareness to its analysis. Next, an "ascriptive theory" is defined to be a descriptive theory which may become common knowledge among its subjects, yet remain valid. The relation between these concepts--as well as between them and others--is studied, and an "impossibility theorem," due to Dostoyevsky, is discussed.