Thesis

"The Evolution of Cooperation, the Superorganism, and Emergent Properties". The majority of the work was concerned with using evolutionary game theory to explore the paradox of cooperation; differentiating itself from prior explorations of this area by using spatial models rather than differential ones. The focus of the paper and explanation came to center around the creation and inevitability of emergent spatial structures which shift the focus and meaning of rational behavior in a system. The arguments were supported and informed by iterated computer simulations I wrote to model evolutionary dynamics. Received Highest Honors. Advisor was James Joyce, C. H. Langford Collegiate Professor of Philosophy and Statistics.

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