Hey guys I just found out about game theory... I don't understand it... but my gut reaction thus far is rejection of it... I love the free market but I don't accept the game theory... is this posisble? Also to my topic question does philanthropy contradict the game theory?
It's not necessary to adhere to game theory to support the free market; but why would you think this is contradictory to it?
Personally, after actually taking a course in game theory, I think it actually helps back up a lot of things related to free market economics. Game theory shows quite well that people benefit most when they cooperate and players gain the most from doing so. There are some limitations to game theory, but any text on the matter openly admits so and it's just a different way to look at economics.
Here's a pretty good paper on the subject of Austrianism and game theory and how game theory can back up Austrian economic ideas.
Mattes:...does philanthropy contradict the game theory?
No. Game theory is a framework similar to praxeology and mathematics, in that it is purely descriptive and doesn't make any assertions about the world. Regarding the "public goods" of charities, game theory says something like:
If there exists a set of actors who are willing to pay for a public good G and unable or unwilling to coordinate with each other, then there will be a tendency for the good to go unfunded. The "if" clause is often false in the real world, but that doesn't make game theory invalid.