Game Theory

Name: Game Theory
ISBN: 9787544181846

约翰·冯·诺依曼 / 刘霞Shenyang Publishing House · ChinaApr 2023

4.1

Word count: 80K words
Chapters: 50
ISBN: 9787544181846

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Summary

Game Theory is the representative work of John von Neumann, "the father of game theory," encompassing all game-theoretic theories and methods to date except evolutionary game theory and representing an advanced stage in the field's development. The book combines detailed exposition of the mathematical theory of games with applications and practice in many areas, using rich, detailed cases to introduce classic game-theoretic concepts such as zero-sum games, three-person games, mixed strategies and the prisoner's dilemma. Behind each case lies a practical strategy that can help solve life's problems. How do you find the right partner? How do you distribute benefits fairly to achieve balance among all parties? How do you discern an opponent's intentions in a volatile situation? Game Theory leads readers into the arena of play and a special "game" journey.

Editor's review

Written by John von Neumann, founder of modern computer science and game theory, Game Theory is the foundational work of the field. It is not a popular introduction but a rigorous mathematical framework that systematically sets out basic models of games, strategy choice and the concept of equilibrium solutions. Von Neumann abstracts real-world competition in economic behavior and military conflict into mathematical problems and proposes core ideas such as the minimax theorem, laying the cornerstone for later developments including Nash equilibrium. Reading this book gives direct access to the original theoretical source and an understanding of how game theory built its logical edifice from the ground up. It is more a blueprint of thought: while some mathematical derivations challenge general readers, its profound insights—about rationality, conflict and cooperation—still shine with wisdom. For readers who want to go beyond popular science and truly understand the core of game theory, this is an unavoidable classic.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Academic enthusiasts with a strong interest in the theoretical sources of game theory, mathematics or economics
Advanced undergraduates or graduate students with some mathematical background who want to study the game-theory framework systematically
Professionals in strategy analysis, decision research or related fields
Deep readers who enjoy classic original texts and are not deterred by abstract theory and mathematical exposition

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking only light stories or cases to learn about game-theory applications
Readers intimidated by or impatient with mathematical formulas and abstract models

Reading tips

Acquire basic knowledge of calculus and linear algebra beforehand, or consult relevant mathematical references alongside.
Focus on the logic of how the theoretical framework is built; do not try to digest all mathematical proofs at once.
Read with a background in economic or intellectual history to better understand the era significance of the theory's birth.

About the publisher

Shenyang Publishing House China · Founded in 1988

Shenyang Publishing House was founded on 18 January 1988 with approval from China's national press and publication authority, and is now part of the Shenyang Publishing and Distribution Group. It is a comprehensive municipal publisher holding full-chain publishing licences covering print books, audio-visual and electronic titles, internet publishing and online games. Its list spans social sciences, education, economics, management and science, and it has won major national awards including the Five-One Project Award, the China Publishing Government Award and the China Excellent Publication Awa

版权信息
前言
译者序
导读
什么是博弈论？
博弈论的“前生今世”
博弈的分类
博弈论的意义
如何找到一个最优策略
博弈中合作的过程和规律
博弈论的应用
第一章策略博弈——了解对手，战而胜之
何为博弈——博弈的分类与基础构成
博弈的解——混合策略
掌握“情报”——博弈的制胜法典
不可传递性
第二章零和二人博弈——必然有输有赢
一人博弈：一场“斗智”之战
“偷鸡”：“虚张声势”促成功
你真的会打扑克吗？——“叫价”的艺术
“优胜劣汰”：二人博弈中，到底谁为鱼肉？
国际象棋——有智还需有谋
初等博弈中的特殊例子
第三章零和三人博弈——“三分天下”还是合作“双赢”
你的“策略”决定了“对战”结果
“配铜钱”升级
理论相悖？——单独博弈中的可能性
是否建立合作？——“默契”攻击“第三者”
“合伙人”：共同利益驱使下的抉择
对称的对立面——不对称分配
“追根溯源”：本质与非本质博弈
不同的声音：完全情报的“反对意见”
寻找“可解”的n人博弈
附录一博弈论定律
零和博弈
重复博弈
囚徒困境
智猪博弈
斗鸡博弈
猎鹿博弈
蜈蚣博弈
酒吧博弈
枪手博弈
警察与小偷博弈
海盗分金
附录二约翰·冯·诺依曼小传
数学天才的诞生
从学生到专家的转变
速算背后的秘密
伟大的贡献和天才的陨落

FAQ

How does this book differ from other popular game-theory books on the market?

This book is a foundational theoretical work emphasizing mathematical axiomatization and theory building—rigorous but abstract; popular books usually emphasize cases and applications—easier to read but less deep.

How much mathematics is needed to understand it?

At least college-level advanced mathematics from science, engineering, economics or management; familiarity with set theory, probability and matrix operations is helpful.

Is the book's content outdated?

The core theoretical framework is not outdated; it laid the foundation of the entire field. Later developments such as Nash equilibrium deepen and extend it rather than overturn it. Reading this book helps understand the roots of modern theory.

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About the author

约翰·冯·诺依曼 Author

John von Neumann was a major twentieth-century mathematician and thinker whose works hold a distinctive place in the history of science and of ideas. This library holds two of his works, one on quantum mechanics and one on game theory. In The Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, he organizes the basic framework of quantum theory in rigorous mathematical language, turning physical questions into an axiomatic system that can be discussed with precision; it remains an important reference for understanding the formal structure of quantum mechanics. The other work centers on game theory, focusing on strategic interaction and rational decision-making, and uses clear, concise models to analyze patterns of competition and cooperation, exerting a profound influence on economics, the social sciences, and even military strategy. Because public information is limited, biographical details are not given here; yet the available works show that he excelled at handling complex problems with formal tools, and that his writing combines mathematical rigor with intellectual penetration, allowing readers to appreciate the power of interdisciplinary thinking.

刘霞 Author

Liu Xia: publicly available information is limited, and no reliable details about her life can be confirmed. Judging from the 37 works held in the collection, her editing and writing cover a wide range of fields, including foreign literature, history, Western philosophy, applied psychology, and popular science. Her representative works include translations and introductions of classics such as the collected works of Nobel laureates in literature, The Empire of the Steppes, The Fruits of the Earth, and Creative Evolution, as well as knowledge-oriented books for general readers such as Game Theory, Cornell University's Principles of Psychology, A Brief History of Science, and Why Do People Live. Overall, her work focuses on bringing foreign literature, history, and intellectual resources to Chinese readers, balancing academic classics with popular works written in a clear and accessible style, and offering readers a diverse starting point for understanding Western literature and thought.