“Education is our outstanding asset. Our American system of education is what has made these United States the outstanding nations of the world.... Education is our surest guarantee of maintaining our present high standing and of providing for our future advancement.”—William T. Patten
Thomas Schelling
Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Economics and Public Affairs, University of Maryland, and 2005 Nobel Laureate
When the Bank of Sweden announced its award of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics to Professor Schelling, it provided the following explanation:
Against the backdrop of the nuclear arms race of the late 1950s, Thomas Schellings book The Strategy of Conflict set forth his vision of game theory as a unifying framework for the social sciences. Schelling showed that a party can strengthen its position by overtly worsening its own options, that the capability to retaliate can be more useful than the ability to resist an attack, and that uncertain retaliation is more credible and more efficient than certain retaliation. These insights have proven to be of great relevance for conflict resolution and efforts to avoid war.
Thomas Schelling
A note from the Executive Director
The Patten Lecture series brings world renowned writers, artists, and scholars to Bloomington for a week-long residence. During their stay, Patten guests deliver public lectures, meet and work with students, attend faculty colloquia, and visit some of the treasure on campus and in town. A gift to Indiana University from one of its alumni, William T. Patten, the Patten Foundation and its lecture series have been an integral part of the Bloomington community since 1936, bringing citizens together to learn, to talk, to appreciate human creativity from around the globe, and to benefit from that education.
Each year, the Patten series welcomes not only its illustrious guests; it welcomes all of us. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming lectures. — Laura Plummer
Each year, the Patten series welcomes not only its illustrious guests; it welcomes all of us. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming lectures. — Laura Plummer
