Two Wei Lun Public Lectures in October Nobel Laureate in Economics Lectures on Game Theory Prof. Reinhard Selten, Nobel laureate in economic sciences 1994 and professor emeritus of economics of the University of Bonn in Germany, gave a public lecture on game theory on 15th October in Esther Lee Building as Wei Lun Visiting Professor to the University. Prof. Selten's visit coincided with Prof. Mirrlees, another Nobel laureate in economic sciences (1996) and Distinguished Professor-at-Large at the University. From left: Prof. James Mirrlees, Prof. Ambrose King, and Prof. Reinhard Selten The lecture presented a selective non-technical introduction to the field of game theory, which can be described as mathematical modelling and analysis of conflict and cooperation. Human behaviour is often much less rational and self-centred than assumed in economic theory. An emerging area of research which may be called 'descriptive game theory' tries to cope with this fact. Laboratory experimentation is used to reveal the motivational forces and the principles of bounded rationality behind human economic interaction. Reciprocity is a strong motivational force. The talk presents specific examples of experimental findings. In 1965, Prof. Selten published important work on distinguishing between reasonable and unreasonable decisions in predicting the outcome of games. He was, jointly with Prof. John C. Harsanyi and Prof. John F. Nash, awarded the 1994 Nobel prize in economic sciences for their 'pioneering analysis of equilibria in the theory of non-cooperative games'.   Another Wei Lun Lecture on Footwear Prof. Ewald M. Hennig, professor of biomechanics of the University of Essen, Germany, explained how one should fit one's foot with suitable footwear in a lecture he delivered as Wei Lun Visiting Professor of the University on 10th October. Titled 'The Human Foot During Locomotion --- Applied Research for Footwear', the lecture took place in auditorium B6 of Ho Tim Building. Prof. Hennig points out that the understanding of foot biomechanics and the specific demands of everyday and sports activities is essential in the design of adequate footwear. During the evolution of mankind over the span of several hundred million years the human foot was gradually formed from the fins of early fish to an efficient load-bearing structure for standing, walking, running, and jumping. Depending on the demands of various sports, shoes with good traction properties, stability features, and shock absorption characteristics are designed.

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