The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure - Softcover

Skyrms, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521533929 ISBN 13: 9780521533928

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2004

Synopsis

Brian Skyrms, author of the successful Evolution of the Social Contract (which won the prestigious Lakatos Award) has written a sequel. The book is a study of ideas of cooperation and collective action. The point of departure is a prototypical story found in Rousseau's A Discourse on Inequality. Rousseau contrasts the pay-off of hunting hare where the risk of non-cooperation is small but the reward is equally small, against the pay-off of hunting the stag where maximum cooperation is required but where the reward is so much greater. Thus, rational agents are pulled in one direction by considerations of risk and in another by considerations of mutual benefit. Written with Skyrms's characteristic clarity and verve, this intriguing book will be eagerly sought out by students and professionals in philosophy, political science, economics, sociology and evolutionary biology.

About this title

Review:

'... dense but exciting ... comprehensive and ambitious in scope ... a treasure trove of interesting and intriguing results.' The Times Literary Supplement

'The book is a treasure trove of interesting and intriguing results...'. The Times Literary Supplement

'I can unreservedly recommend this delightful book. It is an absolute pleasure to read and a more stimulating introductory text on evolutionary thinking of social institutions is hard to image ... Brain Skyrms has done us a great service, and I am looking forward to his next book.' Studia Logica

Book Description:

This book by Brian Skyrms is a study of ideas of cooperation and collective action. Written with all Skyrms's characteristic clarity and verve, this intriguing book will be eagerly sought out by students and professionals in philosophy, political science, economics, sociology and evolutionary biology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0521533929
• ISBN 13: 9780521533928
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 166