Another exceptionally fine text by Suppes. Designed for those who can follow a mathematical argument, but presupposes no special knowledge of mathematics or symbolic logic. The system developed is that of Zermelo-Fraenkel. Especially noteworthy is the discussion of the exact role played by the various axioms.--N. D. B., Jr.

This is a first attempt to formalize the language required for analysis of purposive organizations or systems into the subordinate systems of which they organically consist. The authors take a philosophic position midway between Atomism and the Absolute; like Aristotle, they take a finite, complex individual as the ultimate referent of explanation. The sole primitive is "s///tOx," interpreted as "upon analytic dissection, the system t organized by [the property] x." It is claimed without argument that the relationship is independent of (...) who, so to speak, is doing the dissecting. This paper is welcome as a first attack on a difficult problem, although it does not pay off in the production of non-trivial theorems or in clarification much beyond that afforded by technical English.--N. D. B. Jr. (shrink)

An application of probabilistic, stimulus-response learning theory to game-like small group situations. The theory is axiomatic, precise, and quantitative; and is deductively fruitful. There is a running comparison of the predictive success of the stimulus-response theory and game theory. The authors claim to have demonstrated "in empirical detail and with quantitative accuracy" that "the social situation, qua social, does not require the introduction of new concepts" beyond those of stimulus-response learning theory. --N. D. B. Jr.