English

Bubbles are rational

Computer Science and Game Theory 2013-05-02 v1 Logic in Computer Science General Finance

Abstract

As we show using the notion of equilibrium in the theory of infinite sequential games, bubbles and escalations are rational for economic and environmental agents, who believe in an infinite world. This goes against a vision of a self regulating, wise and pacific economy in equilibrium. In other words, in this context, equilibrium is not a synonymous of stability. We attempt to draw from this statement methodological consequences and a new approach to economics. To the mindware of economic agents (a concept due to cognitive psychology) we propose to add coinduction to properly reason on infinite games. This way we refine the notion of rationality.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1305.0101,
  title  = {Bubbles are rational},
  author = {Pierre Lescanne},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1305.0101},
  year   = {2013}
}

Comments

Translation of http://hal-ens-lyon.archives-ouvertes.fr/ensl-00646546

R2 v1 2026-06-22T00:09:25.276Z