| | Summary: With this course I will give an introduction into the basics of Game Theory, to review applications of GT to linguistic pragmatics, and to give
an overview over the evolutionary reinterpretation of GT and its relevance to pragmatics, typology, and historical linguistics.
The focus of the course will be on the evolutionary re-interpretation of GT which was originally developed by biologists. There the classical game
theoretic equilibrium concepts are replaced by the notion of evolutionary stability. In linguistic applications of Evolutionary Game Theory, the
underlying evolutionary dynamics is based on various forms of learning. I will discuss refinements of the classical dynamics like stochastic and
spatial evolution. Here computer simulations are an indispensable heuristic tool.
Last but not least, I will present various applications of these concepts to pragmatics and typology.
Slides Reading - Benz, A., G. Jäger and R. van Rooij (2006), An introduction to game theory for linguists, to appear in A. Benz, G. Jäger and R. van Rooij (eds.), Game Theory and Pragmatics, Palgrave McMillan. [password required for download]
- Jäger, G. (2004), Evolutionary Game Theory for linguists. A primer, manuscript, Stanford University and University of Potsdam
- Jäger, G. (2004), Evolutionary Game Theory and Typology. A Case Study, manuscript, University of Potsdam and Stanford University
- Jäger, G. and R. van Rooij (2005), Language Stucture: Psychological and Social Constraints, manuscript, University of Bielefeld and University of Amsterdam
- R. van Rooij (2005), Evolution of conventional meaning and conversational principles, manuscript, University of Amsterdam
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