Choose Wisely: Rationality, Ethics, and the Art of Decision-Making

by Barry Schwartz, Richard Schuldenfrei

Overview

A leading psychologist and philosopher challenge the shortcomings of rational choice theory—and propose a new framework for understanding decision-making
 
For many decision scientists, their starting point—drawn from economics—is a quantitative formula called rational choice theory, allowing people to calculate and choose the best options. The problem is that this framework assumes an overly simplistic picture of the world, in which different types of values can be quantified and compared, leading to the “most rational” choice. Behavioral economics acknowledges that irrationality is common but still accepts the underlying belief from economics of what a rational decision should look like.
 
In this book, Barry Schwartz and Richard Schuldenfrei offer a different way to think about the choices we make every day. Drawing from economics, psychology, and philosophy—and both inspired by and challenging Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow—they show how the focus on rationality, narrowly understood, fails to fully describe how we think about our decisions, much less help us make better ones. Notably, it overlooks the positive contribution that framing—how we determine what aspects are most important to us—contributes to good decisions. Schwartz and Schuldenfrei argue that our choices should be informed by our individual “constellation of virtues,” allowing for a far richer understanding of the decisions we make and helping us to live more integrated and purposeful lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300283990
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Barry Schwartz is professor emeritus of psychology at Swarthmore College and visiting professor at Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. His books include The Paradox of Choice, Why We Work, and (as coauthor) Practical Wisdom. He lives in Oakland, CA. Richard Schuldenfrei is professor emeritus of philosophy at Swarthmore College. He lives in West Townshend, VT.

Editorial Reviews

A well-argued and often enlightening exploration of how decisions are and should be made.”—Publishers Weekly

“Masterful! An utterly convincing (and beautifully crafted) argument that we need to rethink rationality. I read Choose Wisely cover to cover in two sittings, but will take two decades, maybe more, to fully appreciate it.”—Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

“In Choose Wisely, Schwartz and Schuldenfrei ask a fascinatingly provocative question: Should we aspire to make life decisions in accordance with economic models of rationality? Their answer: a resounding no. Instead, they paint a much broader, more human picture of decisions well made, and lives well lived.”—David Epstein, author of Range and The Sports Gene

“An insightful, provocative read on decision-making. Get ready to rethink your view of rationality, embrace radical uncertainty, and make wiser choices.”—Adam Grant, author of Think Again and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

“Choose Wisely is a lucid and quietly radical book. Schwartz and Schuldenfrei dismantle the illusion that decisions can be engineered through calculation alone—and make a powerful case for the messy, moral, and meaning-laden nature of real choice.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive, The Power of Regret, and When

“In this compelling critique of rational choice theory, Barry Schwartz and Richard Schuldenfrei trace its defects to the utilitarian theory of value on which it rests. We are not only utility maximizers, they point out; we seek virtues and meaning that cannot be reduced to quantitative metrics. This book points the way to a less formalistic social science and a less transactional way of living our lives.”—Michael J. Sandel, author of The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?
 
“How should we make choices in the real world, particularly when outcomes are so uncertain? In this timely and wise book, Schwartz and Schuldenfrei show that using good judgment, understanding others’ intentions, and framing our alternatives to align with what we value is the road to better decisions and to a good life.”—Martin E. P. Seligman, author of Flourish and The Hope Circuit

From the Publisher

Schwartz and Schuldenfrei show that using good judgment, understanding others’ intentions, and framing our alternatives to align with what we value is the road to better decisions and to a good life.”

author of Flourish Martin Seligman

We are not only utility maximizers, they point out; we seek virtues and meaning that cannot be reduced to quantitative metrics. This book points the way to a less formalistic social science and a less transactional way of living our lives.”

author of The Tyranny of Merit Michael J. Sandel

A well-argued and often enlightening exploration of how decisions are and should be made.”

Publishers Weekly

Schwartz and Schuldenfrei dismantle the illusion that decisions can be engineered through calculation alone—and make a powerful case for the messy, moral, and meaning-laden nature of real choice.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel H. Pink

Masterful! An utterly convincing (and beautifully crafted) argument that we need to rethink rationality.”

author of Grit Angela Duckworth

In Choose Wisely, Schwartz and Schuldenfrei ask a fascinatingly provocative question: Should we aspire to make life decisions in accordance with economic models of rationality? Their answer: a resounding ‘no.’ Instead, they paint a much broader, more human picture of decisions well made, and lives well lived.”

New York Times bestselling author David Epstein

How should we make choices in the real world, particularly when outcomes are so uncertain? In this timely and wise book, Schwartz and Schuldenfrei show that using good judgment, understanding others’ intentions, and framing our alternatives to align with what we value is the road to better decisions and to a good life.”

author of Flourish and The Hope Circuit Martin Seligman

In this compelling critique of rational choice theory, Barry Schwartz and Richard Schuldenfrei trace its defects to the utilitarian theory of value on which it rests. We are not only utility maximizers, they point out; we seek virtues and meaning that cannot be reduced to quantitative metrics. This book points the way to a less formalistic social science and a less transactional way of living our lives.”

author of The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find th Michael J. Sandel