The book explores the concept of the public good, tracing its evolution from ancient sages and prophets to the Enlightenment period. It critiques how historical figures often prioritized their own views of what is beneficial for society, overshadowing the voices of the common people. By examining the shift that occurred in the eighteenth century, it highlights the emergence of a more inclusive understanding of the public good, liberated from the biases of the elite. This analysis invites readers to reconsider the true meaning of public welfare and its implications for society.
Kenneth Binmore Book order






- 2021
- 2020
Crooked Thinking or Straight Talk?
Modernizing Epicurean Scientific Philosophy
- 140 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Exploring the challenges of rational thought in contemporary society, this book delves into why people often fall prey to misleading arguments from populists and scammers. It questions the absence of philosophical guidance in navigating complex issues, urging a reevaluation of critical thinking and the role of philosophy in public discourse. The author seeks to uncover the reasons behind our cognitive biases and the societal impact of misinformation, advocating for a return to reasoned debate and intellectual clarity.
- 2011
Explains the foundations of Bayesian decision theory and shows why Savage restricted the theory's application to small worlds. This title discusses the various philosophical attitudes related to the nature of probability and offers resolutions to paradoxes believed to hinder further progress.
- 2007
Game Theory. A Very Short Introduction
- 184 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Games are played everywhere: from economics to evolutionary biology, and from social interactions to online auctions. This title shows how to play such games in a rational way, and how to maximize their outcomes.
- 1994
Binmore argues that game theory provides a systematic tool for investigating ethical matters.
- 1990
Economic Organizations as Games
- 228 pages
- 8 hours of reading
In recent years economists have found the theory of games to be an attractive route for exploring imperfectly competitive markets. This collection of articles explores both the potential and the limitations of this theoretical framework.
- 1987
The Economics of Bargaining
- 260 pages
- 10 hours of reading
A collection of articles examining equilibrium outcomes in social and economic environments which possess cooperative infrastructures.
- 1983
Systematic account of the logical and algebraic foundations of calculus. Presentation is informal with emphasis on practical understanding rather than on theoretical matters and formal proofs. Many practical examples are provided, drawn primarily from economics. Some elementary knowledge of calculus is assumed.
