Moral Calculations : Game Theory, Logic and Human Frailty [Hardcover]

Laszlo Mero (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387984194 | ISBN-13: 978-0387984193 | Publication Date: July 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

What does game theory tell us about rational behavior? Is there such a thing as rational behavior, and if so, is it of any use to us? In this fascinating book, renowned Hungarian economist Laszlo Mero shows how game theory provides insight into such aspects of human psychology as altruism, competition, and politics, as well as its relevance to disparate fields such as physics and evolutionary biology. This ideal guide shows us how mathematics can illuminate the human condition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laszlo Mero is a mathematician living in Hungary, where Moral Calculations was a national bestseller. His latest project is a computer game he is developing with Erno Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik's Cube.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387984194
• ISBN-13: 978-0387984193
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book gets very, very strange., March 21, 1999

By 

Anthony Berno (San Jose, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Moral Calculations : Game Theory, Logic and Human Frailty (Hardcover)

Mero's book is an interesting read, and is a very good non-mathematical review of the basics of game theory and its relationship to human ethics. I suspect that its translation from Hungarian led to its sometimes strange choices of words, but on the whole, it is a good way to get a sense of the surprising generality and importance of the subject.

Unfortunately, the book is marred by Mero's expansion of game theory into a "theory of everything". By the last chapter, he has gone from straightforward applied mathematics into fuzzy-headed mysticism. At this point, the book has become more embarassing than interesting. My suggestion is to read the first half of tbe book and forget the rest!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very well written and important book, March 20, 1999

By 

W. K. Schryba (Mountainside, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Moral Calculations : Game Theory, Logic and Human Frailty (Hardcover)

I found this book compelling: an understandable, non-dogmatic, open-minded, non-technical yet scientific look at how mathematical game theory might be applied by someone trying to behave morally in a universe of limited resources. The concepts are clearly stated without jargon in such a way that people with little aptitude or patience for mathematics will remain interested throughout. An important book for anyone interested in morality at any level.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for learning about Game Theory, May 17, 2002

By 

Han Jadden "Professional Geologist" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moral Calculations : Game Theory, Logic and Human Frailty (Hardcover)

This book is fascinating in how it demonstrates what we do in politics, science, and even meditation can affect our rational (and irrational) decision making processes, both individualy and in community.

I actually got referred to this book by a website that discussed Game Theory and when I went to Amazon to purchase it, I was amused by the reviewers on Amazon that were horrified that the last of the book covered Meditation/Mysticism. Thats what absolutely convinced me to buy it. I am a scientist and I am practicing meditation, I see both sides.

Mero does a great job of showing how Game Theory can explain the Rational and also show how irrational we are. He practically predicts why the reviewers that didn't like the last parts of his book are the way they are, which of course made them say the things they say in the review!

As the famous ad says, Just do it.