Games of Life: Explorations in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior - Softcover

Sigmund, Karl; Sergeant, Philip W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0486812898 ISBN 13: 9780486812892

Publisher: Dover Publications Inc, 2017

Synopsis

Accessible, informative, and enjoyable, this volume explores the major areas of current biology. Author Karl Sigmund applies the ideas and methods of game theory and mathematical modeling to such areas as evolution, sex, animal behavior, and aggression. "An excellent introduction to what theoretical biologists get up to in trying to understand evolutionary and ecological ideas." ― Nature.

About this title

About the Author

Karl Sigmund is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Vienna.

From the Back Cover

"A book accessible to all readers, whatever their level of numeracy ... an excellent introduction to what theoretical biologists get up to in trying to understand evolutionary and ecological ideas."―Nature
Why are there only two sexes? Why do stags restrain their aggression in the middle of a fight? Can it ever pay to be nice in a world of selfish individualists? The answers, according to this informative and enjoyable volume, can often be found in games like hide and seek, poker, and the prisoner's dilemma. Author Karl Sigmund applies the ideas and methods of game theory and mathematical modeling to evolution, sex, animal behavior, and aggression in Games of Life, which was included in Ian Stewart's "Top 10 Popular Mathematics Books" in the Guardian (1/18/2012).
Starting with artificial life and self-replicating machines, the book examines pursuit games between predators and prey and draws parallels between games of chance and the randomness of molecular evolution. Other topics include the bizarre double games played by chromosomes and applications of game theory to animal behavior. Key topics appear at the start of each chapter, and endnotes provide references for readers wishing to seek out further information. This playful approach to understanding evolution and its central issues of sex, survival, conflict, and cooperation offers a captivating modern perspective on matters of life and death.
www.doverpublications.com

From the Inside Flap

A book accessible to all readers, whatever their level of numeracy ... an excellent introduction to what theoretical biologists get up to in trying to understand evolutionary and ecological ideas.―Nature
Why are there only two sexes? Why do stags restrain their aggression in the middle of a fight? Can it ever pay to be nice in a world of selfish individualists? The answers, according to this informative and enjoyable volume, can often be found in games like hide and seek, poker, and the prisoner's dilemma. Author Karl Sigmund applies the ideas and methods of game theory and mathematical modeling to evolution, sex, animal behavior, and aggression in Games of Life, which was included in Ian Stewart's Top 10 Popular Mathematics Books in the Guardian (1/18/2012).
Starting with artificial life and self-replicating machines, the book examines pursuit games between predators and prey and draws parallels between games of chance and the randomness of molecular evolution. Other topics include the bizarre double games played by chromosomes and applications of game theory to animal behavior. Key topics appear at the start of each chapter, and endnotes provide references for readers wishing to seek out further information. This playful approach to understanding evolution and its central issues of sex, survival, conflict, and cooperation offers a captivating modern perspective on matters of life and death.
www.doverpublications.com

Edition details

• Publisher: Dover Publications Inc
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0486812898
• ISBN 13: 9780486812892
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272