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Reasoning about rationality

Author

Listed:
  • Bjorndahl, A.
  • Halpern, J.Y.
  • Pass, R.

Abstract

We provide a sound and complete axiomatization for a class of logics appropriate for reasoning about the rationality of players in games, and show that essentially the same axiomatization applies to a very wide class of decision rules. We also consider games in which players may be uncertain as to what decision rules their opponents are using, and define in this context a new solution concept, D-rationalizability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bjorndahl, A. & Halpern, J.Y. & Pass, R., 2017. "Reasoning about rationality," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 146-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:104:y:2017:i:c:p:146-164
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2017.03.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert J. Aumann, 1999. "Interactive epistemology II: Probability," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 28(3), pages 301-314.
    2. Tan, Tommy Chin-Chiu & da Costa Werlang, Sergio Ribeiro, 1988. "The Bayesian foundations of solution concepts of games," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 370-391, August.
    3. Adam Brandenburger & Eddie Dekel, 2014. "Rationalizability and Correlated Equilibria," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: The Language of Game Theory Putting Epistemics into the Mathematics of Games, chapter 3, pages 43-57, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    4. Halpern, Joseph Y. & Pass, Rafael, 2013. "Conservative belief and rationality," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 186-192.
    5. Hayashi, Takashi, 2008. "Regret aversion and opportunity dependence," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 139(1), pages 242-268, March.
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    7. Martin J. Osborne & Ariel Rubinstein, 1994. "A Course in Game Theory," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262650401, December.
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    9. Halpern, Joseph Y. & Pass, Rafael, 2012. "Iterated regret minimization: A new solution concept," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 184-207.
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    Cited by:

    1. Balkenborg, Dieter, 2018. "Rationalizability and logical inference," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 248-257.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Axiomatization; Rationality; Decision rules; Epistemic game theory; Rationalizability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games

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