Abstract

The main objective of this article is to point out the evolution of Jon Elster’s ideas on his theory of action and his role as philosopher of science. The text shows that Elster has been modifying his ideas and that he has turned more skeptical regarding the explanational possibilities of the conduct presented by the theory of rational election. On this theory he has found more limitations than solutions. However, this may be due to a limitation of rationality itself, rather than to a deficit of the theory. This situation has taken him to add to rationality, as a motivation for conduct, two other motivations: social rules and emotions. This article examines this development and presents the place of rationality in social sciences form the perspective of methodological individualism.