Abstract This paper is about rational sociality. Retaining rational choice as its basic framework, it aims to enrich it by taking seriously a well-established cultural, social and psychological phenomenon: that some inter-personal relationships have intrinsic value. These are termed primary. Because of the risk of adverse instrumental outcomes, agents offer primary relationships on certain term...

How free are our software agents to take the best possible care of our interests? How free can we make them? In what sense and to what extent do currently proposed mechanisms and agent behaviors consider self-interest? What current research addresses these issues? What needs to be done? We address these issues in the context of electronic markets, such as consumer goods markets and (future, mor...

In Volume 3, #1 of the Journal of Technology Education, Pannabecker (1991) identified shortcomings in the language that has shaped perspectives within technology education, and raised an issue for dialogue. This essay is intended to extend Pannabecker's critique to include the metaphors of autonomous and advancing technology, and their supporting ideology of technological progress. Reasons for ...

Intergroup confl icts are an inherent part of human relations, having on a large scale taken place continuously and constantly throughout all millennia of history. Of these, intractable intergroup confl icts, 1 which still rage in various parts of the globe—in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Chechnya, or the Middle East—are of special interest. Confl icts in this category stem from disagreements over contr...

It is often argued that cosmopolitanism faces unique motivational constraints, asking more of individuals than they are able to give. This ‘motivational problem’ held pose a significant challenge cosmopolitanism, as it appears unable transform its moral demands into motivated political action. article develops novel response the problem facing arguing self-interest, alongside appeals sentiment,...

The NHS has administered a covid-19 vaccine to more than 18 million people, quarter of the UK population, since December—an extraordinary logistical achievement.1 But vaccinating everybody here will not protect us from longer term harm, say infectious disease experts, including government’s SAGE adviser and Wellcome Trust director, Jeremy Farrar, in BMJ Interview this week,2 also available pod...