The Mathematics of Collective Action

ISBN-13: 9780202307909 / Angielski / Miękka / 2005 / 248 str.

James S. Coleman; Robert B. Smith

Opis

Philosophers, social scientists, and laymen have used two perspectives in analyzing social action. One sees man's action as the result of causal forces, and the other sees action as purposive and goal directed. Mathematical treatment of social action has shown this same dichotomy. Some models of behavior describe a causal process, in which there is no place for intention or purpose. Most stochastic models of behavior, whether individual or group, are like this. Another body of work, however, employs purpose, anticipation of some future state, and action designed to maximize the proximity to some goal. Classical microeconomic theory, statistical decision theory, and game theory exemplify this direction.

Spis treści

AldineTransaction Introduction, Preface, 1. The Mathematics of Social Action, 2. Concepts of Rational Action, 3. Collective Actions, 4. Further Concepts and Applications, 5. The Dynamic System and Other Elaborations, References, Computer Program and Output, Index

O autorze

James Coleman