In 1944, John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern wrote a book called Theory of Games and Economic Behavior, which opened the study of modern game theory.
As you may know, game theory is, ironically, one of the most serious of all subjects.
It also covers a huge amount of disciplines; it covers the study of economics, business, finance, psychology, sociology, law, politics, management, public policy and administration, etc., etc., etc. in short, Game Theory covers virtually all aspects of civilization, both on a macro scale, i.e., nations and states, and on a micro scale, i.e., the decisions of individual persons.
The reason i have posted this in the Philosophy forum is because there is a basic disclaimer about game theory to the effect that this theory only works if all players in the game are actually doing everything they can to win. which is why Game Theory doesn't apply to me. i don't always make the best decisions! even though i can often see that what i could do vs. what i am doing would be more helpful to my health, well-being, career, what have you (you name it), i still have a tendency to slack off and be so lazy as to accomplish nothing and then i blame it, always, on being depressed. the mess and clutter in my bedroom is because i was too depressed to tidy up, as i had intended. i forgot to floss yesterday because i was too depressed. trust me when i say this list could literally go on for days, and backward in time for decades.
i tried to get my life together by being religious, but i gave it up because i felt it was untrue to my core beliefs. then i studied philosophy and found many of its greatest proponents to be terribly depressing. and how can Game Theory help me if i keep refusing to join in the game? i know, ultimately, that they are talking about willpower, which i guess, i don't have much of. it is one small word that is difficult to get a handle on.
-ell
