The publication of "The Bargaining Set for Cooperative Games" in 1964 marked a significant development in cooperative game theory, establishing Michael Maschler as a primary figure in the field. Operating from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he spent his career analyzing the complex mathematical structures that govern strategic interaction, economics, and logical foundations within an increasingly specialized twentieth-century discipline.
Academic Career and Institutional Ties
Born in Jerusalem in 1927, Michael Maschler remained rooted in his home city for both his education and his professional tenure. He completed his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, eventually serving as a professor at the university's Einstein Institute of Mathematics. His research also extended to the Center for the Study of Rationality, where he contributed to the development of game theory as a distinct, rigorous area of inquiry.
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Maschler focused his analytical efforts on cooperative games and solution concepts. His collaborative work, particularly with R.J. Aumann, included studies on the minimax principle and the bargaining set. His 1965 paper, "The Core of a Cooperative Game," co-authored with M. Davis, appeared in the Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, while his 1985 research explored the game-theoretic elements of bankruptcy problems as presented in the Talmud. Throughout his life, he authored numerous influential texts, including "Repeated Games with Incomplete Information," published by MIT Press in 1995.
Recognition and Legacy
The international mathematical community acknowledged his contributions through various honors, including his appointment as a Fellow of the Econometric Society in 1989. In 1995, he received the Frederick W. Lanchester Prize. Following his death in 2008 at the age of 81 in Jerusalem, the Israeli Chapter of the Game Theory Society honored his memory by establishing the annual Maschler Prize in 2012, designed to support outstanding research students working in his field.
Fast facts
- Born: 1927, Jerusalem
- Died: 2008, Jerusalem
- Field: Game Theory
- University: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Award: Frederick W. Lanchester Prize (1995)
- Membership: Econometric Society
- Burial Site: Har HaMenuchot
- Languages: English and Hebrew
Questions readers ask
What specific area of mathematics did Michael Maschler study?
He focused on logic, foundations, and game theory, specifically cooperative games.
Where is Michael Maschler buried?
He is buried at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.
What is the Maschler Prize?
It is an annual award founded in 2012 by the Israeli Chapter of the Game Theory Society for outstanding research students.
Achievements
- Frederick W. Lanchester Prize — 1995