What Are the Best Game Theory Resources for Beginners and Non-Scientists?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying suitable resources for beginners interested in game theory, particularly for those who may not have a scientific background. Participants share recommendations for books and express their personal experiences with the subject.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a newfound interest in game theory and seeks recommendations for high-quality resources suitable for beginners.
  • Another participant, a double major in mathematics and economics, shares their initial disappointment with game theory books and suggests the need for a better teaching approach or additional mathematical background.
  • Several book recommendations are provided, including "Games and Decisions" by Luce and Raiffa, "Game Theory, a nontechnical introduction" by Davis, and "Games, Theory and Applications" by Thomas, with notes on their mathematical accessibility.
  • A participant mentions "Essays on Game Theory" by John F. Nash as a potentially valuable resource, although they have not read it themselves.
  • Another participant challenges the notion that the author's genius guarantees a good learning experience, emphasizing the importance of matching the book's level with the reader's expertise.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have differing views on the effectiveness of certain resources and the role of the author's expertise in the learning process. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach to learning game theory or the most suitable resources.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about their own understanding and the appropriateness of the recommended materials for their level of expertise.

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Hello there Ph.D's and not-yet-PhDs ...

Just "discovered" game theory for myself today and am interested in finding websites, books, and professional journals that meet your high standards. I'm a beginner in game theory, and I'm not a scientist, but I do read the Journal of Memetics, Journal of Psychology, Nature for fun so I'm familiar with technical terminology.

So thank you for your responses in advance..

:smile:
 
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Not necessarily a "bump", but I'd definitely like to hear what people (specifically mathematicians) think of game theory. I'm a double major in mathematics and economics, and so I thought game theory would be right up my alley. Alas, I found it boring once I picked up some books. Maybe I need a good professor. Maybe I need to learn topology. *shrugs*

So, anyone? :)
 
Here's three books to start. Tehy're all from Dover (www.doverpublications.com), so they're cheap.
1.Games and Decisions by Luce and Raiffa.
2. Game Theory, a nontechnical introduction, by Davis.
3. Games, Theory and Applications, by Thomas.

The first two are non mathematical, and the third one requires a little matrix theory.
 
selfAdjoint said:
Here's three books to start. Tehy're all from Dover (www.doverpublications.com), so they're cheap.
1.Games and Decisions by Luce and Raiffa.
2. Game Theory, a nontechnical introduction, by Davis.
3. Games, Theory and Applications, by Thomas.

The first two are non mathematical, and the third one requires a little matrix theory.


Thanks for the recommendations.. :smile:

I'm still learning about this myself and I will post questions or ideas when I think of them.
 
"Essays on Game Theory" - By John F. Nash

I too have gained some interest in this area of Mathematics. I have not read the book I recommended you. However I am ultimately sure that the book will give a great learning experience for you, since the author of the Book is a great genius.
 
Last edited:
The learning experience does not depend on the genius who wrote some essays but on the match between the initial level of the book and the reader's expertise, imho.
- Unless the reader is a great genius.
 

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