The selective usefulness of game theory  Published in Social
Studies of Science, Vol. 8, 1978, pp. 85-110: pdf of published
article  Reprinted in Italian in Testi & Contesti, Vol. 3, April
1980, pp. 9-31: pdf of published article  Brian Martin  Go to
Brian Martin's publications  Brian Martin's website   The
concepts of game theory are analyzed to determine their
selective usefulness for studying certain types of problems and
obtaining certain types of conclusions. It is found that game
theory lends itself to perspectives and applications which do
not question the assumptions underlying existing structures or
institutions in society. The selective usefulness of game theory
concepts is reflected in the actual uses and applications of the
theory; several examples are given. Furthermore, this selective
usefulness is quite compatible with what is known about the
origins of game theory. The study of game theory concepts
provides a useful example of a perspective on mathematics from
which mathematical frameworks, a