Laws of the Game : How the Principles of Nature Govern Chance ( Princeton Science Library )

Using game theory and examples of actual games people play, Nobel laureate Manfred Eigen and Ruthild Winkler show how the elements of chance and rules underlie all that happens in the universe, from genetic behavior through economic growth to the composition of music. To illustrate their argument, the authors turn to classic games — backgammon, bridge, and chess — and relate them to physical, biological, and social applications of probability theory and number theory. Further, they have invented, and present here, more than a dozen playable games derived from scientific models for equilibrium, selection, growth, and even the composition of RNA. These games, complete with instructions and boards in color, are a source of learning and entertainment. Manfred Eigen and Ruthild Winkler are scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. In 1967 Eigen received the Nobel Prize for chemistry. 1. The Origin Of Play -- 2. Games People Play -- 3. Microcosm-macrocosm -- 4. Statistical Bead Games -- 5. Darwin And Molecules -- 6. Structure, Pattern, Shape -- 7. Symmetry -- 8. Metamorphoses Of Order -- 9. The Parable Of The Physicists -- 10. Of Self-reproducing Automata And Thinking Machines -- 11. From One Make Ten ... -- 12. Limited Space And Resources -- 13. From Ecosystem To Industrial Society -- 14. Popper's Three Worlds -- 15. From Symbol To Language -- 16. Memory And Complex Reality -- 17. The Art Of Asking The Right Question -- 18. Playing With Beauty. Manfred Eigen And Ruthild Winkler ; Translated By Robert And Rita Kimber. Translation Of: Das Spiel. Originally Published: 1st American Ed. New York : Knopf : Distributed By Random House, 1981. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 331-337) And Index. "Using game theory and examples of actual games people play, Nobel laureate Manfred Eigen and Ruthild Winkler show how the elements of chance and rules underlie all that happens in the universe, from genetic behavior through economic growth to the composition of music." "To illustrate their argument, the authors turn to classic games - backgammon, bridge, and chess - and relate them to physical, biological, and social applications of probability theory and number theory. Further, they have invented, and present here, more than a dozen playable games derived from scientific models for equilibrium, selection, growth, and even the composition of RNA. These games, complete with instructions and boards in color, are a source of learning and entertainment." --Book Jacket Laws of the Game Contents Translators’ Note Acknowledgments Foreword Foreword to the English Edition ONE The Taming of Chance 1 The Origin of Play 2 Games People Play 3 Microcosm—Macrocosm 4 Statistical Bead Games 5 Darwin and Molecules TWO Games in Time and Space 6 Structure, Pattern, Shape 7 Symmetry 8 Metamorphoses of Order THREE The Limits of the Game—The Limits of Humanity 9 The Parable of the Physicists 10 Of Self-Reproducing Automata and Thinking Machines 11 “From One Make Ten...” 12 Limited Space and Resources 13 From Ecosystem to Industrial Society FOUR In the Realm of Ideas 14 Popper’s Three Worlds 15 From Symbol to Language 16 Memory and Complex Reality 17 The Art of Asking the Right Question 18 Playing with Beauty List of References Index