Feminist Critiques of the Separative Model of Self: Implications for Rational Choice Theory

Paula England, Barbara Stanek Kilbourne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The article applies the radical-cultural feminist critique of the separative model of self to rational choice theories. Four assumptions of neoclassical economics-the “ideal type” of rational choice theories-are identified: selfishness; that interpersonal utility comparisons are impossible; that tastes are exogenous and unchanging; and that individuals are rational. For the most part, sociological versions of rational choice theories rely on these same assumptions. The article shows that a separative rather than a connected model of the self underlies each of these assumptions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)156-171
Number of pages16
JournalRationality and Society
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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