Newsletter of Phenomenology

Keeping phenomenologists informed since May 2002

237094

(2004) Synthese 141 (1).

Reflections on ethics and game theory

Steven T. Kuhn

pp. 1-44

Applications of game theory to moral philosophy are impededby foundational issues and troublesome examples. In the first part of this paper,questions are raised about the appropriate game-theoretical frameworks for applications to moralphilosophy and about the proper interpretations of the theoretical devices employed inthese frameworks. In the second part, five examples that should be of particular interest to thoseinterested in the connections between ethics and game theory are delineated and discussed. Thefirst example comprises games in which there is an outcome unanimously preferred to the``solution'' of the game, appropriately defined. The second comprises games whose solution callsfor different players to employ different strategies. The third comprises games whosesolution calls for players to adopt mixed strategies. The fourth comprises games whose solutionrequires players to cycle among a variety of strategies. The fifth comprises games whose solutionrequires players to discriminate in morally inappropriate ways.

Publication details

DOI: 10.1023/B:SYNT.0000035846.91195.cb

Full citation:

Kuhn, S. T. (2004). Reflections on ethics and game theory. Synthese 141 (1), pp. 1-44.

This document is unfortunately not available for download at the moment.