The Law and Economics of Irrational Behavior: An Introduction

George Mason Law & Economics Research Paper No. 04-16

F. Parisi & V. Smith, THE LAW & ECONOMICS OF IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Stanford University Press, 2005

16 Pages Posted: 8 Sep 2004

See all articles by Francesco Parisi

Francesco Parisi

University of Minnesota - Law School; University of Bologna

Vernon L. Smith

Chapman University - Economic Science Institute; Chapman University School of Law

Abstract

Behavioral economists accept many of the premises of traditional economic thought: that situational outcomes are the result of individual decisions, taking place in a particular economic environment. But behavioral economists go a step further, arguing that the human action is shaped not only by relevant economic constraints, but is highly affected by people's endogenous preferences, knowledge, skills, endowments and a variety of psychological and physical constraints. Incentives matter and incentives drive human behavior, but incentives are often more than simple monetary gain. The rise of behavioral economics and the findings of experimental economics, have led to a clash between the theory of rational-choice and those who believe that this idea does not properly account for the montage of human emotions, biology and attitudes. However, it may be possible to end the intellectual tug of war between rational choice theorists and behavioralists without turning it into a zero-sum game. In this Introduction we consider the contributions of twenty-eight authors who have joined together to present such a possibility. Covering a wide range of fields from neuroscience, to economics, to law and sociology, these distinguished academics have presented an array of valuable contributions that, aware in their own application that rational choice theory can no longer be bought in a wholesale fashion, aim at revisiting its basic premises in such a way as to ensure a more rigorous analytical model. These authors then proceed to offer a practical application of this modified theory to a variety of economic and legal problems that have bedeviled traditional economic thought.

Suggested Citation

Parisi, Francesco and Smith, Vernon L., The Law and Economics of Irrational Behavior: An Introduction. George Mason Law & Economics Research Paper No. 04-16, F. Parisi & V. Smith, THE LAW & ECONOMICS OF IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Stanford University Press, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=586649

Francesco Parisi (Contact Author)

University of Minnesota - Law School ( email )

229 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

University of Bologna ( email )

Piazza Scaravilli 1
40126 Bologna, fc 47100
Italy

Vernon L. Smith

Chapman University - Economic Science Institute ( email )

1 University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
United States
714-628-2830 (Phone)

Chapman University School of Law ( email )

One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866-1099
United States

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