Game Theory
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Game theory is a branch of applied mathematics that studies strategic situations where players choose different actions in an attempt to maximize their returns. First developed as a tool for understanding economic behavior, game theory is now used in many diverse academic fields, ranging from biology to philosophy. Game theory saw substantial growth and its first formalization by John von Neumann before and during the Cold War, mainly due to its application to military strategy, most notably to the concept of mutual assured destruction. Beginning in the 1970s, game theory has been applied to animal behavior, including species’ development by natural selection. Because of interesting games like the prisoner’s dilemma, in which mutual self-interest hurts everyone, game theory has been used in political science, ethics and philosophy. Finally, game theory has recently drawn attention from computer scientists because of its use in artificial intelligence and cybernetics.
In addition to its academic interest, game theory has received attention in popular culture. A Nobel Prize-winning game theorist, John Nash was the subject of the 1998 biography by Sylvia Nasar and the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind. Several game shows have adopted game theoretic situations, including Friend or Foe? and to some extent Survivor. [1]
Although similar to decision theory, game theory studies decisions that are made in an environment where various players interact. In other words, game theory studies choice of optimal behavior when costs and benefits of each option are not fixed, but depend upon the choices of other individuals.
Notes
- ^ GameTheory.net has an extensive list of references to game theory in popular culture.
References
- Textbooks and general reference texts
Gibbons, Robert (1992) Game Theory for Applied Economists, Princeton University Press ISBN 0691003955 (readable; suitable for advanced undergraduates. Published in Europe by Harvester Wheatsheaf (London) with the title A primer in game theory)
Ginits, Herbert (2000) Game Theory Evolving Princeton University Press ISBN 0691009430
Osborne, Martin and Ariel Rubinstein: A Course in Game Theory, MIT Press, 1994, ISBN 0-262-65040-1 (modern introduction at the introductory graduate level)
Fudenberg, Drew and Jean Tirole: Game Theory, MIT Press, 1991, ISBN 0262061414 (the definitive reference text)
- Historically important texts
Fisher, Ronald (1930) The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Luce, Duncan and Howard Raiffa Games and Decisions: Introduction and Critical Survey Dover ISBN 0486659437
Maynard Smith, John Evolution and the Theory of Games, Cambridge University Press 1982
Morgenstern, Oskar and John von Neumann (1947) The Theory of Games and Economic Behavior Princeton University Press
Nash, John (1950) “Equilibrium points in n-person games” Proceedings of the National Academy of the USA 36(1):48-49.
Poundstone, William Prisoner’s Dilemma: John von Neumann, Game Theory and the Puzzle of the Bomb, ISBN 038541580X
- Other print references
Camerer, Colin (2003) Behavioral Game Theory Princeton University Press ISBN 0691090394
Gauthier, David (1987) Morals by Agreement Oxford University Press ISBN 0198249926
Grim, Patrick, Trina Kokalis, Ali Alai-Tafti, Nicholas Kilb, and Paul St Denis (2004) “Making meaning happen.” Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence 16(4): 209-243.
Kavka, Gregory (1986) Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102765X
Lewis, David (1969) Convention: A Philosophical Study
Maynard Smith, J. and Harper, D. (2003) Animal Signals. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198526857
Quine, W.v.O (1967) “Truth by Convention” in Philosophica Essays for A.N. Whitehead Russel and Russel Publishers. ISBN 0846209705
Quine, W.v.O (1960) “Carnap and Logical Truth” Synthese 12(4):350-374.
Skyrms, Brian (1996) Evolution of the Social Contract Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521555833
Skyrms, Brian (2004) The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521533929.
Sober, Elliot and David Sloan Wilson (1999) Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674930479
- Websites
- Paul Walker, An Outline of the History of Game Theory.
- David Levine: Game Theory. Papers, Lecture Notes and much more stuff.
- Alvin Roth: Game Theory and Experimental Economics page – Comprehensive list of links to game theory information on the Web
- Mike Shor: Game Theory .net – Lecture notes, interactive illustrations and other information.
- Jim Ratliff’s Graduate Course in Game Theory (lecture notes).
- Valentin Robu’s software tool for simulation of bilateral negotiation (bargaining)
- Don Ross: Review Of Game Theory.
- Bruno Verbeek and Christopher Morris: Game Theory and Ethics
- Chris Yiu’s Game Theory Lounge
- Elmer G. Wiens: Game Theory – Introduction, worked examples, play online two-person zero-sum games.
- Web sites on game theory and social interactions
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