[Avodah] How game theory solved a religious mystery

[Micha Berger]

On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 10:43:27AM -0400, I wrote:
: On Areivim, RZS asked about the value in general:
:> *If* Prof. Auman was mechaeven to the intention of the original Amoraim,
:> then yasher koach to him, and we can now understand this gemara better
:> than the rishonim did; and maybe there are more gemaras that the same
:> knowledge will help interpret, but maybe that's the only one. Is it
:> really worth studying game theory just for that? Once one has 'filled
:> his belly with bread and meat', perhaps; but surely not until then.

: The quote about lechem ubasar is significant, and can't be summarily
: dismissed.

But then I forgot to make the point for which I quoted RZS!

I think the approach has value whether or not this was the intent of
the amoraim involved.

It could well be that the amoraim got their results through straight
halachic analysis. That would explain the how-it-came-to-be of the
halakhah. It does not explain why the halakhah's resolution is more
or fair. Through game theory, RYAumann gives us insight into how this
mishnah fits derakheha darkhei no'am, regardless of whether the law was
actually decided in those terms.

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             The trick is learning to be passionate in one's
micha at aishdas.org        ideals, but compassionate to one's peers.
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