The study of strategic action (game theory) is moving from a formal science of rational behavior to an evolutionary tool kit for studying behavior in a broad array of social settings. In this problem-oriented introduction to the field, Herbert Gintis exposes students to the techniques and applications of game theory through a wealth of sophisticated and surprisingly fun-to-solve problems involving human (and even animal) behavior.
Game Theory Evolving is innovative in several ways. First, it reflects game theory's expansion into such areas as cooperation in teams, networks, the evolution and diffusion of preferences, the connection between biology and economics, artificial life simulations, and experimental economics. Second, the book--recognizing that students learn by doing and that most game theory texts are weak on problems--is organized around problems, and introduces principles through practice. Finally, the quality of the problems is simply unsurpassed, and each chapter provides a study plan for instructors interested in teaching evolutionary game theory.
Reflecting the growing consensus that in many important contexts outside of anonymous markets, human behavior is not well described by classical "rationality," Gintis shows students how to apply game theory to model how people behave in ways that reflect the special nature of human sociality and individuality. This book is perfect for upper undergraduate and graduate economics courses as well as a terrific introduction for ambitious do-it-yourselfers throughout the behavioral sciences.
A dense textbook introducing concepts in evolutionary game theory, unfortunately its comprehensivity and scope comes at the cost of ease of reading and depth. A good starting point, much more to build upon from this book.
An enjoyable book, I really wish I could understand it more fully, but that will come. It dealt with the Bayesian (statistical) theory, as well as the Nash equilibrium, knowledge of these two theories is useful in making sense of this book so a good mathematical dictionary/encyclopedia may be useful.The book did humanise the game theory topic and did make it comprehensible to non-mathematicians like me, you have a passing interest in the subject of game theory.