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Community-Based Reasoning in Games: Salience, Rule-Following, and Counterfactuals

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  • Cyril Hédoin

    (University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51571 Reims, France)

Abstract

This paper develops a game-theoretic and epistemic account of a peculiar mode of practical reasoning that sustains focal points but also more general forms of rule-following behavior which I call community-based reasoning (CBR). It emphasizes the importance of counterfactuals in strategic interactions. In particular, the existence of rules does not reduce to observable behavioral patterns but also encompasses a range of counterfactual beliefs and behaviors. This feature was already at the core of Wittgenstein’s philosophical account of rule-following. On this basis, I consider the possibility that CBR may provide a rational basis for cooperation in the prisoner’s dilemma.

Suggested Citation

  • Cyril Hédoin, 2016. "Community-Based Reasoning in Games: Salience, Rule-Following, and Counterfactuals," Games, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgames:v:7:y:2016:i:4:p:36-:d:82986
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Weirich, 2017. "Epistemic Game Theory and Logic: Introduction," Games, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-3, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    community-based reasoning; epistemic logic; game theory; rule-following; counterfactuals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods
    • C7 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory
    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General
    • C71 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Cooperative Games
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games

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