The calculus of selfishness / Karl Sigmund.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sigmund, Karl, 1945-

Series:

Princeton series in theoretical and computational biology.

Princeton series in theoretical and computational biology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Game theory.

Cooperativeness--Moral and ethical aspects.

Cooperativeness.

Evolution (Biology)--Mathematics.

Evolution (Biology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (185 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

How does cooperation emerge among selfish individuals? When do people share resources, punish those they consider unfair, and engage in joint enterprises? These questions fascinate philosophers, biologists, and economists alike, for the "invisible hand" that should turn selfish efforts into public benefit is not always at work. The Calculus of Selfishness looks at social dilemmas where cooperative motivations are subverted and self-interest becomes self-defeating. Karl Sigmund, a pioneer in evolutionary game theory, uses simple and well-known game theory models to examine the foundations of collective action and the effects of reciprocity and reputation. Focusing on some of the best-known social and economic experiments, including games such as the Prisoner's Dilemma, Trust, Ultimatum, Snowdrift, and Public Good, Sigmund explores the conditions leading to cooperative strategies. His approach is based on evolutionary game dynamics, applied to deterministic and probabilistic models of economic interactions. Exploring basic strategic interactions among individuals guided by self-interest and caught in social traps, The Calculus of Selfishness analyzes to what extent one key facet of human nature--selfishness--can lead to cooperation.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

Chapter One. Introduction: Social Traps and Simple Games

Chapter Two. Game Dynamics and Social Learning

Chapter Three. Direct Reciprocity: The Role of Repetition

Chapter Four. Indirect Reciprocity: The Role of Reputation

Chapter Five. Fairness and Trust: The Power of Incentives

Chapter Six. Public Goods and Joint Efforts: Between Freedom and Enforcement

Chapter Seven. Cooperation in Structured Populations

References

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612458804

9781282458802

1282458809

9781400832255

140083225X

OCLC:

568113203