Game Theory Problems in the Old Testament

Miklos Erdei
2010. Bifrst University

A Biblical simultaneous game

Zagare (referring to Brams) give us an example

regarding to the Old Testament
Abraham sacrifice his son, Isaac to God
What controls Abrahams decision to sacrifice his son? 1. Faith? 2. Rationality?

Players

Players in the game:

Abraham God

Isaac definitely cannot seen as a player as he has no possibilities to choose or make any decision
Just a passive voice

What should Abraham do?

Abrahams dilemma:
Show his loyalty to God Save his sons life

Abrahams choices:
Obey God = Offer Isaac as a sacrifice

Disobey God = Save Isaacs life and lose Gods mercy

What should Abraham do?

Abrahams preferences: 3 assumptions

a. Abraham faithful regardless: Abraham prefers to offer

Isaac regardless of what God does subsequently b. Abraham wavers somewhat: Abraham prefers that God relents regardless of what he does itself, however he want to show God he still loyal c. Abraham wavers seriously: If Abraham assumes that God does not relent, he prefers not offer Isaac

What shall/would God say?

Cooperative strategy:
Reneging if Isaac were offered Relenting if Abraham were disobeyed

Non-cooperative strategy:
Not reneging if Isaac were offered

Not relenting if Abraham were disobeyed

Father, look, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for burnt sacrifice? (Isaac, Holy Bible, Old Testament)

Payoff Matrix in the light of Abrahams assumption (a)

GOD

Renege/Relent (Cooperative)

Doesnt renege/relent (Non-cooperative)

Offer Isaac 4 ABRAHAM 1 Doesnt offer Issac 2

3 2

Payoff Matrix in the light of Abrahams assumption (b)

GOD

Renege/Relent (Cooperative) 4

Doesnt renege/relent (Non-cooperative) 3

Offer Isaac 4
ABRAHAM 1 Doesnt offer Issac 3

2
2

Payoff Matrix in the light of Abrahams assumption (c)

GOD

Renege/Relent (Cooperative) 4

Doesnt renege/relent (Non-cooperative) 3

Offer Isaac 4

1 1 2

ABRAHAM

Doesnt offer Issac 3

Consequences & Conclusions

Information assymetry among Abraham and God

Gods favor Abraham has to make a decision while has no idea

what God planning to reply

If God plays cooperative then Isaacs life is saved If God decides to choose non-cooperative then Isaacs is gonna be sacrificed Isaacs life depends on God choice (Gods reply for Abrahams strategy)

Consequences & Conclusions

Under the condition of assumption (a):

Abraham has a dominant strategy (offer Isaac

regardless God willing to do)

Under the condition of assumption (b):

Theoretically Abraham has a dominant startegy altough

in a religious meaning has not

Under the condition of assumption (c):

Abraham has no dominant either weak-dominant

strategy

Consequences & Conclusions

The best outcome what they can get is (4;4) when Abraham put forward to show his loyalty to God, instead of save Isaacs life If we assume that God begins to play tit for tat:

The best what Abraham could choose to offer Issac as a

sacrifice (the best possible outcome under the conditions of all assumptions)

This is the same outcome what the Bible tells us occured in the Old Testament

Payoff Matrix in the light of Abrahams assumption (a)

GOD

Renege/Relent (Cooperative) 4

Doesnt renege/relent (Non-cooperative) 3

Offer Isaac 4 ABRAHAM 1 Doesnt offer Issac 2

3 2

Bibliography
Zagare, Frank C. (1984). Game Theory. Concepts and applications. SAGE, New York, 47-51. Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff (1991). Thinking strategically. Norton & Co. New YorkLondon, pp. 57-58, 106-113.