Rainer Hegselmann, born in Essen, Germany, in 1950. Ph.D. from the Universität Duisburg-Essen. Professor of Philosophy at the Universität Bremen.
Fellow (1 September 1994 – 30 June 1995)
During my year at NIAS I developed and improved a simulation model to answer the question: can relations and networks of solidarity emerge in a world exclusively inhabited by rational egoists, who are unequal and choose their partners in opportunity taking ways? I conducted several computer experiments to collect data, wrote several articles and did editorial work on four books about modeling social dynamics.
Under the normal conditions within my university I would never have been able to do that work. NIAS gave me a stimulating intellectual environment I will never forget. I profited enormously from the co-operations within the research group. Those will be continued in the years to come.