far ranging disputes over social scientific methodology; such as the distinc-
tion between observer and participant knowledge, along with the question
of whether human agency makes the object of the social sciences distinct from
the object of the natural sciences.^3
The advocates of rational choice theory in social scientific methodology
enter into such debates with the intention of overcoming a perceived “dis-
parity in development” that exists between natural and social science (Riker
1990:177). They do so on the basis of adopting mathematical models from
economic theory and applying them to the analysis of social action. This
approach is understood to bypass metaphysical assumptions about human
nature and behavior, as well as holistic theories about the nature of society
at the macro level, by focusing on strategic and instrumental decisions by
individuals in social interaction. The perspective develops a voluntaristic the-
ory of action, emphasizing the role of calculation and the achievement of
expected outcomes in human behavior. Rational choice theory argues that
intended consequences motivate human choice in social interaction, more
than environmental conditioning, repetition of custom, or essential attribute.
A key element of this model emerges out of game theory, a mathematical
approach to analyzing conflict and cooperation. Game theory employs gen-
eral math techniques and equations to analyze situations where two people
make decisions that influence each other. This perspective has been adopted
particularly by economic theory, where it is employed to both explain and
predict patterns of interaction between rational agents. Prior to analyzing the
assumptions inherent to this approach, and how these bear upon the study
of religion in particular, it is useful to illustrate the intentions behind this
theoretical approach by way of referring to a popular exposition of its viewpoint.
A Beautiful Mind
The Academy Award winning film A Beautiful Mind(Howard 2001) is based
loosely on the life of John Nash (one of the developers of game theory). In
an early scene, the main character, John (a student at Princeton), is sitting in
a bar with his friends, searching for both female companionship and a topic
From A Beautiful Mindto the Beautiful Soul • 153tion, see: Eliade 1961 and Smith 1963. For the criticism of such positions, see: Wiebe
1998; McCutcheon 1997. 3
For a summary of how these methodological debates impact upon the study of
religion, see: McCutcheon 1999.