Recommend me some books on game theory

[aneeshm]

Can someone recommend some good books on introductory game theory?

I'm interested because it seems to be something like a universal theory of economics, a meta-economics, so to speak, applicable to many other fields than just the economy (narrowly defined).

I've been trying to understand how the world works, how everything fits together, in a sort of almost pilgrim-like quest to understand the big picture, and how it all fits together, and I think this is another step in that direction.

[LordShiva]

Games of Strategy by Dixit and Skeath and Teh Strategy of Conflict by Schelling are all you need.

[aneeshm]

Oh, and I forgot to add, this is for personal perusal, has nothing to do with my formal education in engineering, and has no connection whatsoever with my undergraduate degree.

So I want to start out with the most basic stuff (as "Games of Strategy" seems to be), and a fair bit of it, to get a good grasp of the fundamentals, but I would appreciate it if people could also separately suggest intermediate level stuff for further study, if I find I need it.


EDIT: This is not to say that I want stuff which is deliberately dumbed down. I want a good, solid intro.

Thanks, LordShiva.

[Pekka]

Game theory will not help you to understand how the world works. It helps you to understand how some people try to think, but it's really not the reality.

It's just a strategy at the end, not the world. You've been duped by prolly some hippies.

[aneeshm]

Originally posted by Pekka
Game theory will not help you to understand how the world works. It helps you to understand how some people try to think, but it's really not the reality.

It's just a strategy at the end, not the world. You've been duped by prolly some hippies.

It is but a step in the direction of understanding. I do not claim anything else.

[Pekka]

It is a step of understanding game theory, nothing else

I'm not saying you shouldn't read about it. I'm just saying don't have high expectations.

[Lonestar]

Re: Recommend me some books on game theory

Originally posted by aneeshm
Can someone recommend some good books on introductory game theory?

[Elok]

No, Lonestar, I believe the fundamental premise of game theory is something like, "For every solid game G, there will be at least one weenie who goes online to complain that it's bad because his strategy from its predecessor doesn't work with it." Can't blame Aneeshm for wanting to know more.

[VetLegion]

Re: Recommend me some books on game theory

Originally posted by aneeshm
I've been trying to understand how the world works, how everything fits together, in a sort of almost pilgrim-like quest to understand the big picture, and how it all fits together

[Nostromo]

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, by Neil Strauss

[Lorizael]

Re: Re: Recommend me some books on game theory

Originally posted by Lonestar

Wait till 4.0.

[Kidlicious]

Re: Recommend me some books on game theory

Originally posted by aneeshm
I've been trying to understand how the world works, how everything fits together, in a sort of almost pilgrim-like quest to understand the big picture, and how it all fits together, and I think this is another step in that direction.

I don't think game theory is what you are looking for. Game theory is good for specific applications, but not the big picture. Each application is different.

[snoopy369]

Game theory provides an interesting view of why people choose to interact in the way they do. I certainly think it can be useful in regular life, in understanding how group dynamics work (as a manager, say, or even a managee). So certainly worth a shot

[Pekka]

I would tend to agree with Kid on this one. It just doesn't provide you a big picture. It's just merely a strategy of a kind, however, it's of course useful to read about it so you know what it is. Just don't give it too much value. I tend to do that, I tend to put too much value on things I know instead of realizing the other alternatives and giving them enough space in the matter. I'm trying to break up from this habit but it's difficult.

snoopy, yes, it is one theory. But that should be pointed out, it's one theory, theory about one strategy in decision making. There's a lot more where that came from.

[VetLegion]

He only asked for a recommendation, but since we're discussing game theory now - I'm with Pekka on this. GT has some neat models but just doesn't seem all that revealing about anything. And it gets pretty mathematical pretty quick, so it's not fun unless you are into that.