The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure

Brian Skyrms (University of California, Irvine)

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English

Cambridge University Pres
06 April 2004

Philosophy; 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 Pres
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 200g
ISBN: 9780521533928
ISBN 10: 0521533929
Pages: 166
Publication Date: 06 April 2004
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. The stag hunt; Part I. Location: 2. Bargaining with neighbors; 3. Stag hunt with neighbors; Part II. Signals: 4. Evolution of inference; 5. Cheap talk; Part III. Association: 6. Choosing partners; 7. Coevolution of structure and strategy.

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