Logics of action, institutions, and conventions

• Grant number: 07/05331-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2008
• End date: December 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Economics - Economic Theory
• Principal Investigator: David Dequech Filho
• Grantee: David Dequech Filho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Economia (IE). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The proposed research is an attempt to contribute to the theory of economic behavior, focusing on institutional and cognitive aspects and on their relation, as well as including an emphasis on innovation. The concept of logic of action is elaborated, in contrast with logic of justification and a variety of examples of logics are examined which are relevant in the economy. The concept of decision-theoretic norm is introduced and the conceptual and theoretical relation between institutions and norms is discussed. While treating conventions as informal institutions, the research proposes a concept of convention that is broader than that of several other approaches. It also provides some elements of a better theory of the stability as well as the change in conventions and institutions in general. (AU)