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Robert AumannIsraeli mathematician, professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Date of Birth: 08.06.1930
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Israel Aumann: A Nobel Laureate in Game Theory and Economics
- Career and Contributions
- Nobel Prize in Economics
- Awards and Recognition
- Political Views and Family
Israel Aumann: A Nobel Laureate in Game Theory and Economics
Early Life and EducationIsrael Aumann, a renowned Israeli mathematician and economist, was born in Germany into a Jewish family. Fleeing Nazi persecution, his family immigrated to the United States in 1938. Growing up in New York City, Aumann received his high school education at a yeshiva and went on to earn degrees from City College of New York and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he obtained his doctorate in mathematics.
Career and Contributions
In 1956, Aumann returned to Israel, settling in Jerusalem. He became a professor at the Center for Rationality Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and remained there until his retirement. Aumann's research focused on game theory and its applications for nearly 40 years. He made significant contributions to "repeated games," analyzing how conflicts evolve over time.
Nobel Prize in Economics
In 2005, Aumann was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics "for his contributions to game theory analysis of conflict and cooperation with emphasis on repeated games." His Nobel lecture, entitled "War and Peace," argued that war is not inherently irrational and should be studied and understood in order to be overcome.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Aumann received numerous accolades for his work. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he was awarded the Harvey Prize (1983), the Israel Prize for Economics (1994), the EMET Prize (2002), and the John von Neumann Theory Prize (2005).
Political Views and Family
Aumann was a devout Jew who led a religious lifestyle. He strongly opposed the policy of withdrawing Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He and his first wife, Esther, had five children, one of whom was killed in the 1982 Lebanon War. After Esther's death in 1998, Aumann married Esther's older sister, Batya Cohen. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual brilliance and unwavering belief in the power of reason and cooperation.
