This paper develops a two-tier concept of rationality which broadens the orthodox notion of instrumental rationality in economics. In the first section, I conceive the idea of “background rationality” to consist in the ability to act normally, i.e., according to social conventions...

Game theoretic analyses of Hobbes' Leviathan proliferate. By considering elements of Leviathan, which have been scrutinised inter alia by Gauthier, Hampton and Kavka, I argue that the approach capture Hobbes' notion of obligation insufficiently. I search for a concept of rationality in Hobbes'...

In this Comment, I examine Christoph Hanisch’s recent contribution to this journal. In commenting on Hanisch’s essay, I offer an interpretation of Amartya Sen’s notion of ‘commitment’ which makes committed choices both uncontroversial and quotidian. This interpretation contrasts with...

In this paper, we examine different forms of altruism. We commence by analysing the ‘behavioural’ definition and, after clarifying its conditions for altruism, we argue that it is not in ‘reflective equilibrium’ with everyday linguistic usage of the term. We therefore consider a...

In his recent work, Amartya Sen assesses markets positively because they contribute to freedom. His work on famines, however, harbours a critical stance toward markets. In this paper, I compare Sen's 'two views' of markets and argue that his positive assessment is untenable. Markets can...