Irrationality Re-Examined: A Few Comments on the Conjunction Fallacy

Michael Aristidou

Mathematics and Natural Sciences, American University of Kuwait, Safat, Kuwait.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2013.32050                

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that the probability model used to infer irrationality for the subjects in the famous Linda problem is not appropriate, and I suggest different approaches based on fuzzy reasoning models. My line of argument is two-fold: 1) If the term “probability” is understood properly (mathematically), then the experimenters used the wrong model. 2) If the term “probability” is understood casually (non- mathematically), then alternative models perhaps should be used to justify the subjects’ responses. The objective is to experiment with new ways of looking at irrationality and raise a discussion regarding the relation between irrationality, reasoning errors and logical models that are used as frameworks to study irrationality.

Keywords

Probability; Rationality; Irrationality; Fuzzy; Conjunction; Fallacy

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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