University of Michigan Heritage

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

How a U-M social scientist used the most famous puzzle in game theory to help make sense of human behavior.

Axelrod in his early years at Michigan. He joined the faculty in 1974.

The Prisoner's Dilemma captured the essence of the tension between doing what is good for the individual and what is good for everyone.

– Robert Axelrod

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The Arsonist Was a Scholar

^“He was at worst emotionally unstable. He was sort of a ‘lone duck,’ living all by himself.^”
– Warren E. Blake, classical studies professor

After burning down a campus building, an alumnus began life anew at another university.
150 Years at the Hospital

^“From 20 beds in a converted house to a nationally recognized system of care.^”
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From 20 beds in a converted house to a nationally recognized system of care.
Blue Angel

^“We go around the world like a lot of sorry ghosts, being forever ashamed of a thing we’ve no reason to be ashamed of.^”
– Kurt Gray, from “Better Angel”

After coming out of the closet at 86, alumnus Forman Brown revealed he was the author of a groundbreaking novel about being young and gay at U-M.

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