An Introduction to Decision Theory

by Martin Peterson

Overview

Now revised and updated, this introduction to decision theory is both accessible and comprehensive, covering topics including decision making under ignorance and risk, the foundations of utility theory, the debate over subjective and objective probability, Bayesianism, causal decision theory, game theory, and social choice theory. No mathematical skills are assumed, with all concepts and results explained in non-technical and intuitive as well as more formal ways. There are now over 140 exercises with solutions, along with a glossary of key terms and concepts. This second edition includes a new chapter on risk aversion as well as updated discussions of numerous central ideas, including Newcomb's problem, prisoner's dilemmas, and Arrow's impossibility theorem. The book will appeal particularly to philosophy students but also to readers in a range of disciplines, from computer science and psychology to economics and political science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108178860
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/30/2017
Series:	Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Martin Peterson holds the Sue and Harry Bovay Chair in the Department of Philosophy, Texas A&M University. He is the author of several books on decision theory, ethics, and risk, including Non-Bayesian Decision Theory (2008), The Dimensions of Consequentialism (Cambridge, 2013), and The Ethics of Technology (forthcoming).

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The decision matrix; 3. Decisions under ignorance; 4. Decisions under risk; 5. Utility; 6. The mathematics of probability; 7. The philosophy of probability; 8. Bayesianism and pragmatic arguments; 9. Causal vs evidential decision theory; 10. Risk aversion; 11. Game theory I: basic concepts and zero-sum games; 12. Game theory II: nonzero-sum and cooperative games; 13. Social choice theory; 14. Overview of descriptive decision theory; Appendix A. Glossary; Further reading; Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This up-to-date introduction to decision theory offers comprehensive and accessible discussions of decision-making under ignorance and risk, the foundations of utility theory, the debate over subjective and objective probability, Bayesianism, causal decision theory, game theory, and social choice theory.... all concepts and results are explained in non-technical and intuitive as well as more formal ways. There are over 100 exercises with solutions, and a glossary of key terms and concepts. An emphasis on foundational aspects of normative decision theory (rather than descriptive decision theory) makes the book particularly useful for philosophy students, but it will appeal to readers in a range of disciplines including economics, psychology, political science and computer science."
— Mathematical Reviews

Editorial Reviews

"This up-to-date introduction to decision theory offers comprehensive and accessible discussions of decision-making under ignorance and risk, the foundations of utility theory, the debate over subjective and objective probability, Bayesianism, causal decision theory, game theory, and social choice theory.... all concepts and results are explained in non-technical and intuitive as well as more formal ways. There are over 100 exercises with solutions, and a glossary of key terms and concepts. An emphasis on foundational aspects of normative decision theory (rather than descriptive decision theory) makes the book particularly useful for philosophy students, but it will appeal to readers in a range of disciplines including economics, psychology, political science and computer science."
— Mathematical Reviews

From the Publisher