Evolution of the Social Contract - Softcover

Skyrms, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521555833 ISBN 13: 9780521555838

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1996

Synopsis

In this pithy and highly readable book, Brian Skyrms, a recognised authority on game and decision theory, investigates traditional problems of the social contract in terms of evolutionary dynamics. Game theory is skilfully employed to offer new interpretations of a wide variety of social phenomena, including justice, mutual aid, commitment, convention and meaning. The author eschews any grand, unified theory. Rather, he presents the reader with tools drawn from evolutionary game theory for the purpose of analysing and coming to understand the social contract. The book is not technical and requires no special background knowledge. As such, it could be enjoyed by students and professionals in a wide range of disciplines: political science, philosophy, decision theory, economics and biology.

About this title

Review

'This book takes philosophical discussion of game theory to a new level of sophistication.' Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin

'... a brilliant and impressive work ...'. Christopher Bertram, The Economic Journal

Book Description

In this pithy and highly readable book, Brian Skyrms, a recognised authority on game and decision theory, investigates traditional problems of the social contract in terms of evolutionary dynamics. The book is not technical and requires no special background knowledge.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521555833
• ISBN 13: 9780521555838
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 162