The concept of rationality and its significance for theory and empirical research in social science are key topics of scholarly discussion. In the tradition of an analytical as well as empirical approach in social science, this volume assembles novel contributions on methodological foundations and basic assumptions of theories of rational choice. The volume highlights the use of rational choice assumptions for research on fundamental problems in social theory such as the emergence, dynamics, and effects of social norms and the conditions for cooperation and prosociality.

Ivar Krumpal, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of LeipzigWerner Raub, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), Utrecht UniversityAndreas Tutic, Heisenberg Fellow of the German Research Foundation, Department of Sociology, University of Leipzig