Karl Sigmund

Albert Einstein's theory of relativity and the endeavours of Bertrand Russell and David Hilbert to establish the fundamental rules of mathematics inspired some of the most brilliant minds of their generation to convene in post-World War I Vienna. This assemblage, known as the Vienna Circle, consisted of intellectual giants like Kurt Gödel and Rudolf Carnap, who sought to advance the...

How does cooperation emerge among selfish individuals? When do people share resources, punish those they consider unfair, and engage in joint enterprises? These questions fascinate philosophers, biologists, and economists alike, for the "invisible hand" that should turn selfish efforts into public benefit is not always at work. The Calculus of Selfishness looks at social dilemmas where cooperative motivations are subverted...