Talmudic Debate

Oxford's World Religions Today Online: "The Talmud is said to have been completed by the 6th century, but in reality it is never complete. That is because the Talmud is meant to be studied and debated in a communal setting, thus leaving it open to continuous development. As a matter of fact, it isn't even the point when studying the Talmud to reach a conclusion. Rather, Talmudic debate is a form of religious ritual that can bring the student of Torah to experience God's word directly."

In the project we explore the parallels and differences between Talmudic method and contemporary Game theory and Rationality analysis. The parallels between Talmudic dialectics and game methods (Kubbiyah, Asmakhta, Psharah) had been long recognized mostly in the context of transactional issues and business disputes.

Here we extend the treatment to social - political - ideological dilemas, with one important distinction - we never know what are the player's hidden motives and goals. Another important question is the treatment of time - the rules of collaboration drastically change under the notion of repeated games, threat of Mafia or punishment by God. Dawkin's "Shadow of the Future" will play an important role in this conceptualization.

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