Ma`rifat-e Eghtesad-e Islami, Volume 15, Issue 2, No 30, Year 2025 , Pages 185-210

    The Nature and Limitations of Applying Rational Choice Theory in Explaining Non-Economic Phenomena

    Article Type: 
    Research
    Writers:
    ✍️ Ataollah Rafiee Atani / Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Management, Economics and Progress Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology / rafieiatani@iust.ac.ir
    Pages: 185-210 Receive Date: 2025/10/21 Accept Date: 2025/10/21
    dor 20.1001.1.20422322.1403.15.2.9.3
    doi 10.22034/marefateeqtesadi.2025.5001770
    Abstract: 
    Rational choice theory provides the foundational framework for formulating all assumptions of neoclassical economic theories based on the model of homo economicus. As a conceptual construct, homo economicus has emerged as the central subject of economic science, resulting in the development of economic theories—particularly in microeconomics—through a deductive approach derived from its characteristics. Self-interest, individualism, and perfect rationality are among the core attributes of this model. Despite its numerous limitations, rational choice theory possesses significant explanatory power in analyzing economic behavior. Employing an analytical approach, this study demonstrates that while the theory has faced fundamental criticisms within economics, especially from institutional economics grounded in sociological insights and behavioral economics rooted in psychological findings—it has gradually been extended to explain various aspects of human behavior in broader social domains such as culture, family, politics, religion, and law. This paper examines the underlying reasons for such extensions and seeks to illuminate the psychological, sociological, and ethical limitations of this generalization, with the aim of contributing to the formulation of a more comprehensive theory of rationality.
    Keywords: 
    Rational choice theory
    Homo Economicus
    public choice theory
    Economics of the Family
    Law and Economics
    Economics of Religion
    چکیده و کلیدواژه فارسی (Persian)
    Title :ماهیت و محدودیت‌های به‌کارگیری نظریۀ انتخاب عقلایی در تبیین امور غیراقتصادی
    Abstract: 
    نظریۀ انتخاب عقلایی، چارچوبی برای صورت‌بندی تمام مفروضات نظریات اقتصاد نئوکلاسیک بر مدار الگوی انسان اقتصادی است. انسان اقتصادی یک مدل مفهومی است که به موضوع محوری دانش اقتصاد تبدیل شده است؛ درنتیجه نظریات اقتصادی با محوریت اقتصاد خرد به‌نحو قیاسی از خصوصیات آن استخراج شده است. منفعت‌طلبی، فردگرایی و عقلانیت کامل از خصوصیات اصلی انسان اقتصادی است. این نظریه به‌رغم محدودیت‌های متعدد، اما از قابلیت زیادی برای تبیین رفتارهای اقتصادی برخوردار است. در این مقاله با استفاده از روش تحلیلی نشان داده شده است که این نظریه با اینکه در چارچوب دانش اقتصاد از سوی اقتصاد نهادگرایی بر اساس نظریات جامعه‌شناختی و اقتصاد رفتاری بر اساس نظریات روان‌شناختی مورد نقد اساسی واقع شده است، اما به‌تدریج به‌منظور تبیین همۀ رفتارهای آدمی در حوزه‌های دیگر زندگی اجتماعی نظیر فرهنگ، خانواده، سیاست، دین و حقوق نیز به‌کار گرفته شده است. در این مقاله با بررسی دلایل این تعمیم، تلاش شده است تا محدودیت‌های روان‌شناختی، جامعه‌شناختی و اخلاقی این تعمیم ـ به‌منظور نیل به یک نظریۀ جامع عقلانیت ـ نشان داده شود.
    Keywords: 
    نظریه انتخاب عقلائی
    انسان اقتصادی
    نظریه انتخاب عمومی
    اقتصاد خانواده
    اقتصاد حقوق
    اقتصاد دین
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    Rafiee Atani, Ataollah.(2025) The Nature and Limitations of Applying Rational Choice Theory in Explaining Non-Economic Phenomena. Ma`rifat-e Eghtesad-e Islami, 15(2), 185-210 https://doi.org/10.22034/marefateeqtesadi.2025.5001770

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    Ataollah Rafiee Atani."The Nature and Limitations of Applying Rational Choice Theory in Explaining Non-Economic Phenomena". Ma`rifat-e Eghtesad-e Islami, 15, 2, 2025, 185-210

    APA | MLA | HARVARD | VANCOUVER

    Rafiee Atani, A.(2025) 'The Nature and Limitations of Applying Rational Choice Theory in Explaining Non-Economic Phenomena', Ma`rifat-e Eghtesad-e Islami, 15(2), pp. 185-210

    APA | MLA | HARVARD | VANCOUVER

    Rafiee Atani, A. The Nature and Limitations of Applying Rational Choice Theory in Explaining Non-Economic Phenomena. Ma`rifat-e Eghtesad-e Islami, 2025; 15(2): 185-210