Skip to main content

A General Method of Solution for Game Theory and Its Relevance for Economic Theorizing

Staff Report 54 | Published January 1, 1980

Download PDF

Author

A General Method of Solution for Game Theory and Its Relevance for Economic Theorizing

Abstract

According to the folklore of economics, game theory has failed. This paper argues that that is an incorrect interpretation of the game theory literature. When faced with a well-posed problem, game theory provides a solution. When faced with an ill-posed problem, game theory fails to provide a solution. This is, indeed, the best one can hope for from a method of analysis! Further, some suggestions are made for facing game theory with well-posed economic problems.