Rules: A Short History of What We Live By

Lorraine Daston's book "Rules" explores the development of rules in the Western tradition, tracing their evolution from ancient to modern times. She identifies three enduring kinds of rules: algorithms, laws, and models and illustrates how rules can change and why some philosophical problems about rules are as ancient as philosophy itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Rules play a significant role in shaping our daily lives, influencing everything from our work schedules to our driving habits and social interactions. They dictate our behavior and expectations, determining how we should behave in various situations. While we may sometimes find ourselves frustrated by the rules we must follow, it is impossible to imagine a society without them.

In her book "Rules," historian Lorraine Daston explores the development of rules in the Western tradition, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the modern era. Drawing on a diverse range of sources, including legal treatises, cookbooks, military manuals, traffic regulations, and game handbooks, Daston demonstrates that while the content of rules may vary widely, the forms they take are surprisingly consistent.

Daston identifies three enduring types of rules: algorithms that calculate and measure, laws that govern, and models that teach. She illustrates how rules can change over time, becoming more rigid or flexible, and how once-obnoxious regulations can become commonplace. Rules have been created for virtually every activity imaginable, ranging from meticulous regulations to the laws of nature.

Daston delves into the effectiveness of rules and investigates when they work and when they fail. She also explores why some philosophical problems about rules are as ancient as philosophy itself, while others are as contemporary as calculating machines.

"Rules" offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the role of rules in our lives, providing a valuable perspective on the history, development, and implications of constraints that guide us. Whether we are aware of them or not, rules play a crucial role in shaping our world, and Daston's book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this important aspect of human society.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 133 x 204 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691254081