RATIONALITY IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: EVOLUTION IN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

This article examines the concept of rationality in the social sciences through the lens of its historical and theoretical evolution, with particular attention to decision-making processes within social institutions. The study analyzes how classical models of instrumental rationality have gradually expanded to include bounded rationality, institutional rationality, and context-dependent approaches shaped by cultural, normative, and structural factors. Special emphasis is placed on the role of social institutions as mediators that both constrain and enable individual and collective decision-making. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, economics, political science, and philosophy, the article demonstrates that rationality is not a fixed or universal principle, but a dynamic and evolving construct influenced by institutional change and social complexity. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how rational decision-making adapts to modern societal challenges and provide a conceptual framework for further empirical research in social theory.