Gerald H. Thomas, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor
- Milwaukee WI UNITED STATES
- Diercks Hall DH429
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Dr. Gerald H. Thomas' research interests lie in the field theory of games.
Multimedia
Education, Licensure and Certification
Ph.D.
Physics
University of California - Los Angeles
1969
M.S.
Physics
University of California - Los Angeles
1966
B.S.
Physics
California Institute of Technology
1964
Biography
Areas of Expertise
Affiliations
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) : Computer Science Life Senior Member
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Accreditation Activities Committee Member (CEAA)
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) : Member
- ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) member
Languages
- French
Social
Event and Speaking Appearances
Cohesive Games and Lessons Learned from the Field Theory of Games
Wolfram Technology Conference 2022
Modified Navier-Stokes and Decision Process Theory
Wolfram Technology Conference 2020 online
The New Decision Process Toolkit
Wolfram Technology Conference 2019
Introduction to decision processes
ICCS 2018
Strategic ownership and a non-zero-sum game of rock-scissors-paper
Wolfram Technology Conference 2018
Computational Approach to Game Theory
Wolfram Technology Conference 2017
Experiences teaching computational engineering with applications to advanced decision processes
Wolfram Technology Conference 2016
Research Interests
Decision Process Theory
This generated the idea that a deterministic theory of decisions could apply not only to software projects but more generally to any field of human endeavor in which decisions play a significant role. The key which decisions play a significant role. The key which decisions play a significant role. The key have been expanded in a just released book entitled Geometry, Language and Strategy: The Dynamics of Decision Processes, Vol. 2 (World Scientific, 2016).
The Field Theory of Games
I am interested I the field theory of games and how it can be used to generate an engineering approach to decision making. A recent book on this decision process theory was Geometry, Language and Strategy: The Dynamics of Decision Processes, Vol. 2 (World Scientific, 2016). A book is in production with Wolfram Media entitled The Field Theory of Games: Introduction to Decision Process Engineering.
Patents
Processing Sequence Calls in a Distributed Control System
#4, 686-701. 1987. AT&T Bell Labs
1987
G.H. Thomas et al.
AT&T Bell Labs
Selected Publications
A Field Theory of Games—Introduction to Decision Process Engineering, vol. 2
Wolfram Media, Inc.Thomas, G. H.
in press 2022
A Field Theory of Games: Introduction to Decision Process Engineering, Vol. 1
Wolfram Media, Inc.Thomas, G. H.
2022
This take on game theory is new and was first introduced in two earlier books, Geometry, Language and Strategy, Volume 1 and Volume 2, which focused primarily on the theoretical development. The goal of this book is to make these ideas accessible and interesting to undergraduates, despite the complexity of the mathematics, by providing the concepts and necessary tools to apply them to practical and interesting problems.
Decision Process Theory
Geometry, Language and StrategyThomas, G. H.
2015
Volume 2 details how game theory can be thought of as a DC phenomenon and then extended to a special case of AC behaviors, namely those associated with resonant or harmonic effects where only discrete frequencies appear. These AC behaviors include all steady-state behaviors as well as to possible transient behaviors. Such additional behaviors arise from initial and boundary conditions that act like external forces. Volume 2 is an engineering textbook that applies decision process theory to decision processes. AC type solutions have proved fruitful in electrical engineering and, we hope, will open the possibility for a new discipline of decision engineering.
A Dynamic Theory of Strategic Decision Making Applied to the Prisoner's Dilemma
Unifying themes in complex systems: Vol VI, Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Complex SystemsThomas, G. H., Kane, K.
2010
The classic prisoner’s dilemma has been extensively investigated by game theorists since the late 1950s, and has been scrutinized in both theoretical and empirical contexts. Many researchers have concluded that the Nash equilibrium does not apply to this game. Here we reexamine the prisoner’s dilemma game from the perspective of physical decision theory (Thomas 2006), a rich dynamic framework constructed along the lines of physics that provides a program for examining general decision making processes. From this larger perspective we demonstrate that 1) the Nash equilibrium can be extended to include dynamics and 2) interactions between players simultaneously involve both self-interest and the interests of others, even if one starts by adopting the assumption that agents are driven only by self-interest or only by other-interest. These results have implications far beyond the simple example of the prisoner’s dilemma.
The Future Quantum Computer: Biotic Complexity
Reflexing Interfaces: the Complex Coevolution of Information TechnologySabelli, H. and Thomas, G.H.
2008
Quantum computing forces a reexamination of logic. We examine its historical roots in logos, the logic of nature, and it is manifested by the laws of physics. A new logic comes out of this inquiry and it is applied to quantum computing. The logical design of computers according to the logic of quantum physics will allow the full use of quantum processes for computation and also adapt our humanly conceived computer logic to the actual logic of nature. The basic principles of quantum physics are homologically repeated in fundamental processes at all levels of organization. Thus, the principles of action, opposition such as charge and spin, chromatic structure, and the creation of novelty, diversity, and complexity can guide logic. Explicit realizations of these ideas are provided.
Amplitude reconstruction in scattering at 6 GeV/c; where do we stand and what measurements should be done?
Physical Review DJohnson, P. W., Miller, R. C., Thomas, G. H.
1976
We study the problem of amplitude reconstruction at a fixed t (−t∼0.3 GeV/c2). The five amplitudes are reconstructed, up to an overall phase, by 9 observables σ, P0, Cnn, Knn, Dnn, Css, Csl, Cll, and I(sn0s). This set includes all possible single-scattering measurements. The status of the amplitude reconstruction is discussed. To study both discrete ambiguities and the effects of the measurement errors, we employ a Monte Carlo method. We find that D ls and I(ns0s) remove the prominent ambiguities. In addition, given the current precision, R and I(ls0n) will significantly improve the amplitude determination.
