On the Status of the Nash Type of Noncooperative Equilibrium in Economic Theory
指出经济理论中对纳什非合作均衡概念的常见误解，并解释其为何具有误导性，同时提出个体理性公设以证明纳什行为符合这些公设。
In economic theory the Nash type of noncooperative equilibrium is a widely used equilibrium concept. Nevertheless, the concept is frequently misunderstood, and misleading explanations and interpretations are often given. This paper presents a sample of such frequently appearing misleading explanations, and goes on to explain why they are misleading. The case for using the Nash noncooperative equilibrium concept is stronger than what is implied by the many misleading statements found in the literature. A basic issue is whether it can be argued that decisions in accordance with the noncooperative equilibrium theory are individually rational decisions. This issue is not covered by the classical rationality postulate in economic theory. This problem is tackled by stating certain postulates which may be taken as defining individual rationality in situations of noncooperative interaction; it is shown that Nash behavior satisfies these postulates.