The book treats two approaches to decision theory: (1) the normative, purporting to determine how a ''perfectly rational'' actor ought to choose among available alternatives; (2) the descriptive, based on observations of how people actually choose in real life and in laboratory experiments. The mathematical tools used in the normative approach range from elementary algebra to matrix and differential equations. Sections on different levels can be studied independently. Special emphasis is made on ''offshoots'' of both theories to cognitive psychology, theoretical biology, and philosophy.

The book treats two approaches to decision theory: (1) the normative, purporting to determine how a ''perfectly rational'' actor ought to choose among available alternatives; (2) the descriptive, based on observations of how people actually choose in real life and in laboratory experiments. The mathematical tools used in the normative approach range from elementary algebra to matrix and differential equations. Sections on different levels can be studied independently. Special emphasis is made on ''offshoots'' of both theories to cognitive psychology, theoretical biology, and philosophy.

The book treats two approaches to decision theory: (1) the normative, purporting to determine how a ''perfectly rational'' actor ought to choose among available alternatives; (2) the descriptive, based on observations of how people actually choose in real life and in laboratory experiments. The mathematical tools used in the normative approach range from elementary algebra to matrix and differential equations. Sections on different levels can be studied independently. Special emphasis is made on ''offshoots'' of both theories to cognitive psychology, theoretical biology, and philosophy.