Game Theory and the Humanities
Freshman Honors Seminar: FRSEM-UA.506
S. J. Brams, 19 West 4th St., Rm. 309
New York University
Phone: (212) 998-8510
Fall 2014
E-mail: steven.brams@nyu.edu
Class: Wed., 4:55 – 7:25 PM
Office Hrs.: Mon., 3:30 – 6 PM; Wed. 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Description
Game theory is a mathematical theory of strategy that has been applied to the
analysis of conflict and cooperation in such fields as economics, political science, and
biology. In this seminar, we discuss more unusual applications—to the humanities,
including history, literature, philosophy, the Bible, theology, and law. No mathematical
background beyond high school mathematics is assumed, but a willingness to learn and
apply sophisticated reasoning to analyze the interactions of players in games is essential.
Among the applications to be discussed are Abraham’s decision in the Bible to
offer his son, Isaac, for sacrifice; choices made by accused witches and their persecutors
in medieval witch trials; Lady Macbeth's incitement of Macbeth to murder King Duncan
in Shakespeare’s play; several strategic games played by presidents and their adversaries
in domestic crises (the Civil War, the Great Depression, Watergate) and international
crises (the Cuban missile crisis, the Iran hostage crisis); and coping mechanisms used by
characters in catch-22 games (including those in Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch-22).
Why the humanities? A key aspect of our humanity is our ability to think
rationally about alternative choices and to select the one that best satisfies our goals.
Game theory provides a calculus for making this selection when we face other players,
often with conflicting goals, in strategic situations. Complicating these calculations may
be emotions, such as anger, that cannot easily be tamed and—some would claim—are
inconsistent with the allegedly cold-blooded calculations of game theory (I dispute this
claim).
Much of the analysis in my book, Game Theory and the Humanities (one of four
that are required), uses the “theory of moves” (TOM), a theory grounded in game theory
that I develop gradually, and apply systematically, throughout the book. Coupled with
standard game theory, TOM helps to unify and render coherent the diverse contents of the
book, especially insofar as players make farsighted calculations.
The three other required books do not make explicit use of game theory but do
assume that players are rational, at least to a degree. Strategy: A History is a
comprehensive survey of strategic thinking, and the work of leading strategists, from
ancient to modern times. Leadership Matters: Unleashing the Power of Paradox argues
that leaders make a difference—as manifested in both fiction and in reality—in business,
politics, military affairs, and other arenas. The Art of Political Manipulation focuses on
historical cases in American politics to demonstrate how characters sought to manipulate
2
outcomes to their advantage through bargaining, persuasion, and occasionally deception.
Other readings will be recommended throughout the semester.
Requirements
There will be reading assignments from the four books over the course of the
semester. I will discuss the more technical aspects of game theory, but much of the class
will be devoted to a class discussion. This discussion will be guided by short written
comments that students are required to submit about each week’s readings.
After the first few weeks of the seminar, students will be asked to submit short
essays, and make brief oral presentations, on topics they wish to explore in greater depth.
A longer term paper, developed in consultation with the instructor, will be due at the end
of the semester.
Students will be graded on the basis of their written work, their oral participation,
and possible quizzes or exams.
Required Books
Brams, Steven J. (2011). Game Theory and the Humanities: Bridging Two Worlds.
Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Freedman, Lawrence (2013). Strategy: A History. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Cronin, Thomas E., and Michael A. Genovese (2012). Leadership Matters: Unleashing
the Power of Paradox. Boulder, CO: Paradigm. Abbreviated C&G below.
Riker, William H. (1986). The Art of Political Manipulation. New Haven, CT: Yale
University Press.
Assignments Due
Sept 3:
Sept. 10:
Sept 17:
Sept. 24:
Oct. 1:
Oct 8:
Oct. 15:
Oct. 22:
Oct. 29:
Nov. 5:
Nov. 12:
Nov. 19:
Nov. 26:
Dec. 3:
Brams, ch. 1; C&G, ch. 1; Freedman, chs. 1-3; Riker, ch. 1
Brams, ch. 2; C&G, ch. 2; Freedman, chs. 4-6; Riker, ch. 2
Brams, ch. 3; C&G, ch. 3; Freedman, chs. 7-9; Riker, ch. 3
Brams, ch. 4; C&G, ch. 4; Freedman, chs. 8-11; Riker, ch. 4
Brams, ch. 5; C&G, ch. 5; Freedman, chs. 12-15; Riker, ch. 5
Brams, ch. 6; C&G, ch. 6; Freedman, chs. 16-19; Riker, ch. 6
Brams, ch. 7; C&G, ch. 7; Freedman, chs. 19-22; Riker, ch 7
Preliminary Presentations
Brams, ch. 8; C&G, ch. 8; Freedman, chs. 23-26; Riker, ch. 8
Brams, ch. 9; C&G, ch. 9; Freedman, chs. 27-30; Riker, ch. 9
Brams, ch. 10; C&G, ch. 10-11; Freedman, chs. 31-34; Riker, ch. 10
Brams, ch. 11; C&G, ch. 12-13; Freedman, chs. 35-38; Riker, chs. 11-12
Office hours instead of class
Paper presentations
3
Dec. 10:
No class because of Monday schedule
Selective Bibliography (Books Not Cited in Game Theory and the Humanities)
Abramson, Paul R. (2012). Politics in the Bible. Transaction Publishers.
Alulis, Joseph, and Vickie Sullivan (eds.) (1996). Shakepeare’s Political Pageant:
Essays in Politics & Literature. Rowman and Littlefield.
Baird, Douglas G., Roobert H. Gertner, and Randal C. Picker (1994). Game Theory and
the Law. Harvard University Press.
Bloom, Allan, with Harry V. Jaffa (1981). Shakespeare’s Politics. University of
Chicago Press.
Bokina, John (1997). Opera and Politics: From Monteverdi to Henze. Yale University
Press.
Boorman, Scott A. (1969). The Protracted Game: A Wei-Ch’i Interpretation of Maoist
Revolutionary Strategy. Oxford University Press.
Chwe, Michael Suk-Young (2013). Jane Austen, Game Theorist. Princeton University
Press.
Cohen, Raymond (1987). Theatre of Power: The Art of Diplomatic Signalling. Longman
House.
Cowley, Robert (ed.) (1999). What If? The World’s Foremost Military Historians
Imagine What Might Have Been. G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Cowley, Robert (ed.) ((2001). What If 2? Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have
Been. G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Ellickson, Robert C. (1991). Order without Law: How Neighbors Settle Disputes.
Harvard University Press.
Katz, Leo (2011). Why the Law Is So Perverse. University of Chicago Press.
Luttwak, Edward N. (1987). Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace. Harvard University
Press.
Seymour, William (1982). Yours to Reason Why: Decisions in Battle. De Capo Press.
Whitebrook, Maureeen (ed.) (1992). Reading Political Stories: Representations of
Politics in Novels and Pictures. Rowman and Littlefield.