In their survey of empirical research based on rational choice theory,
Don Green and Ian Shapiro point to a list of methodological deficienc
ies or ''pathologies.'' The main problem with Green and Shapiro's list
lies in the standards they use to evaluate the achievements of ration
al choice theory. These standards are derived from a view of empirical
research that is deeply questionable and, in the stated form, inconsi
stent with both standard insights in contemporary philosophy of scienc
e and the established practice in the most successful empirical scienc
es.