The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure

Brian Skyrms (University of California, Irvine)

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Hardback

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English

Cambridge University Press
26 February 2004

Social & political philosophy; Social theory; Educational: Citizenship & social education

Brian Skyrms, author of the successful Evolution of the Social Contract (which won the prestigious Lakatos Award) has written a sequel.

The new 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.

By: Brian Skyrms (University of California Irvine)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 223mm, Width: 146mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 313g
ISBN: 9780521826518
ISBN 10: 0521826519
Pages: 166
Publication Date: 26 February 2004
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure

'... 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