Game for Survival -- A Game Theory Interpretation of Social Phenomena

Author: Pan Tianqun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book attempts to interpret human social or collective action using game theory—here, social or collective action refers to interactive groups of people. Readers will find that the actions of what was once a complex human society become easily understandable, and they will discover some underlying principles. This book explains social phenomena, and its methods, theories, and examples are largely from economics, yet it is not entirely an economics book. If it were purely economics, it would have to use well-established economic theories to explain and analyze specific research subjects, and must discuss concepts and principles such as "supply," "demand," "price," "utility," "marginal," etc., otherwise it would be irresponsible to the readers. This book strives to explain various social phenomena using scientific methods. Of course, economics is also a science, but economics has already formed fixed research frameworks. Here, we simply want to reveal what lies behind many phenomena. Some parts of this book are "philosophical," while others are "logical." What I want to say is that the social phenomena we observe are underpinned by profound "scientific" principles—I believe these phenomena are rooted in rationality and logic. If this book can inspire readers, I will be satisfied. As long as readers believe they have gained more than the cost of buying this book, my conscience will be at ease, because I hope the act of writing this book and readers purchasing it is a "cooperative game," not a "non-cooperative game."