Hamlet and the Psychology of Rational Choice Under Uncertainty

Abstract

Shakespeare's Hamlet is the classic case of an individual who cannot make a decision, and classic explanations are in terms of “deep psychology”—a paradigm that searches for causes of behavior deep within the individual's psyche. This article shows, however, that the play can be coherently and simply understood in terms of “shallow psychology”—a paradigm that turns attention to the difficulties attendant on rational decision making, emphasizing, most importantly, constraints on information that is necessary for good decision making. Hamlet is shown to be a case of decision making under uncertainty, where the consequences of error are unthinkable and where a decision cannot be avoided. Far from showing us a personality constitutionally unable (for whatever deep reason) to decide, the play shows us the difficulties attendant on this class of decision problems—a demonstration highlighted by the fact that those difficulties must be faced by an individual better equipped than most for decisive action. The play also shows us the only satisfactory way for resolving such a problem. A de-emphasis on personality and a turning of critical attention to the structure of situations that normal people confront might contribute not only to an understanding of this particular play and of dramatic tragedy but also to our understanding of decision making in general.