The Luck of the Draw

The Role of Lotteries in Decision Making

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Logic, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book The Luck of the Draw by Peter Stone, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Stone ISBN: 9780190208295
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 15, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Peter Stone
ISBN: 9780190208295
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 15, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

From the earliest times, people have used lotteries to make decisions--by drawing straws, tossing coins, picking names out of hats, and so on. We use lotteries to place citizens on juries, draft men into armies, assign students to schools, and even on very rare occasions, select lifeboat survivors to be eaten. Lotteries make a great deal of sense in all of these cases, and yet there is something absurd about them. Largely, this is because lottery-based decisions are not based upon reasons. In fact, lotteries actively prevent reason from playing a role in decision making at all. Over the years, people have devoted considerable effort to solving this paradox and thinking about the legitimacy of lotteries as a whole. However, these scholars have mainly focused on lotteries on a case-by-case basis, not as a part of a comprehensive political theory of lotteries. In The Luck of the Draw, Peter Stone surveys the variety of arguments proffered for and against lotteries and argues that they only have one true effect relevant to decision making: the "sanitizing effect" of preventing decisions from being made on the basis of reasons. While this rationale might sound strange to us, Stone contends that in many instances, it is vital that decisions be made without the use of reasons. By developing innovative principles for the use of lottery-based decision making, Stone lays a foundation for understanding when it is--and when it is not--appropriate to draw lots when making political decisions both large and small.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From the earliest times, people have used lotteries to make decisions--by drawing straws, tossing coins, picking names out of hats, and so on. We use lotteries to place citizens on juries, draft men into armies, assign students to schools, and even on very rare occasions, select lifeboat survivors to be eaten. Lotteries make a great deal of sense in all of these cases, and yet there is something absurd about them. Largely, this is because lottery-based decisions are not based upon reasons. In fact, lotteries actively prevent reason from playing a role in decision making at all. Over the years, people have devoted considerable effort to solving this paradox and thinking about the legitimacy of lotteries as a whole. However, these scholars have mainly focused on lotteries on a case-by-case basis, not as a part of a comprehensive political theory of lotteries. In The Luck of the Draw, Peter Stone surveys the variety of arguments proffered for and against lotteries and argues that they only have one true effect relevant to decision making: the "sanitizing effect" of preventing decisions from being made on the basis of reasons. While this rationale might sound strange to us, Stone contends that in many instances, it is vital that decisions be made without the use of reasons. By developing innovative principles for the use of lottery-based decision making, Stone lays a foundation for understanding when it is--and when it is not--appropriate to draw lots when making political decisions both large and small.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Philosophy of Mathematics: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Beyond Citizenship by Peter Stone
Cover of the book The Oxford Introductions to U.S. Law by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Religion and Reconciliation in Greek Cities by Peter Stone
Cover of the book The Central Liberal Truth by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Vagrant Nation by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Stories from the Leopold Shack by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Psychological and Cognitive Impact of Critical Illness by Peter Stone
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Screendance Studies by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Was Huck Black? by Peter Stone
Cover of the book The Conceit of Humanitarian Intervention by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Are We Hardwired? by Peter Stone
Cover of the book Reverence by Peter Stone
Cover of the book So You Want to be a Scientist? by Peter Stone
Cover of the book In the Field, Among the Feathered by Peter Stone
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy