Passions Within Reason: The Strategic Role of the Emotions

Author: Robert H. FrankPublisher: W. W. Norton & CompanyPaperback:ISBN 10: 0393960226ISBN 13: 978-0393960228In this book, I make use of an idea from economics to suggest how noble human tendencies might not only have survived the ruthless pressures of the material world, but actually have been nurtured by them. The idea rests on a simple paradox, namely, that in many situations the conscious pursuit of self-interest is incompatible with its attainment. We are all comfortable with the notion that someone who strives to be spontaneous can never succeed. So too, on brief reflection, will it become apparent that someone who always pursues self-interest is doomed to fail. Review ... offers a much-needed refinement of the influential Rational Expectations Hypothesis. -- William Abrams, Library JournalFrank wants us to be more altruistic but he also is intent on convincing his fellow social scientists that embellishi