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A Unified Approach to Information, Knowledge, and Stability

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  • Xiao Luo
  • Yi-Chun Chen

Abstract

Within the context of strategic interaction, we provide a unified framework for analyzing information, knowledge, and the "stable" pattern of behavior. We first study the related interactive epistemology and, in particular, show an equivalence theorem between a strictly dominated strategy and a never-best reply in terms of epistemic states. We then explore epistemic foundations behind the fascinating idea of stability due to J. von Neumann and O. Morgenstern. The major features of our approach are: (i)unlike the ad hoc semantic model of knowledge, the state space is constructed by Harsanyi’s types that are explicitly formulated by Epstein and Wang (Econometrica 64, 1996, 1343-1373); (ii)players may have general preferences, including subjective expected utility and non-expected utility; and (iii) players may be boundedly rational and have non-partitional information structures

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Luo & Yi-Chun Chen, 2004. "A Unified Approach to Information, Knowledge, and Stability," Econometric Society 2004 Far Eastern Meetings 472, Econometric Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:feam04:472
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    Cited by:

    1. Luo, Xiao, 2009. "The foundation of stability in extensive games with perfect information," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(12), pages 860-868, December.
    2. Chen, Yi-Chun & Long, Ngo Van & Luo, Xiao, 2007. "Iterated strict dominance in general games," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 299-315, November.
    3. Sheng-Chieh Huang & Xiao Luo, 2008. "Stability, sequential rationality, and subgame consistency," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 34(2), pages 309-329, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    epistemic games; Harsanyi's types; interactive epistemology; stability; non-expected utility; bounded rationality;
    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
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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