The Mathematics of Collective Action

by James S. Coleman and James Samuel Coleman

Book Overview

Philosophers, social scientists, and laymen have used two perspectives in analyzing social action. One sees man's action as the result of causal forces, and the other sees action as purposive and goal directed. Mathematical treatment of social action has shown this same dichotomy. Some models of behavior describe a causal process, in which there is no place for intention or purpose. Most stochastic models of behavior, whether individual or group,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0202307905
• ISBN13: 9780202307909
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 9.0"