i must say that i agree with this. rational choice theory is basic to capitalist economics, and though maybe the ideas were systematized under the auspices of the rand corporation (which of course does not itself count against their accuracy; though it ought to make you decide to focus critical scrutiny), they are implicit in classical economics going back to smith. the idealization of actual messy humans as utility-maximizers - which is the initial assumption that makes behavior mathematically modelable (if that's a word) - does all the work, really. the fact that it's false is supposed to be a little glitch or something for which we have to adjust. essentially it models us as sheer individual greed machines: it's an ideology masquerading as a science. it drives all kinds of philosophy. mathematics of action: game theory, e.g. i had a go in against the state at its use in arguments for the legitimacy or necessity of the state. i also like the fact that mccumber points out that this is only one meaning of 'individualism,' and, shockingly, mentions emerson and whitman. thanks for that!
you'll like my little daughter jane running amok in the background.
