80-205 Games, Decisions, and Rational Thinking

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Human rationality is fascinating—it shapes how we make choices, navigate uncertainty, and interact with others. But what does it really mean to be rational? Does it always mean making the "right" choice? And how can we develop a systematic way to think about decisions? Fortunately, mathematicians, philosophers, and economists have spent centuries developing frameworks to help us understand rational thinking. In this course, we'll explore key tools from these disciplines and examine how they apply to real-world situations. Over the course of six weeks, you will engage with both hands-on activities and theoretical concepts, learning how to analyze decisions (where you are the sole decision-maker) and games (where multiple decision-makers interact). Topics will include utility and preference theory, probability and uncertainty, strategic reasoning, and rational decision-making principles.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Summer 2026

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