Memes and Cooperation in Multiagent Systems

The general interest in multi-agent systems is undauntedly high. The idea of distributed problem solving by using autonomous agents is continuously seized in theory and practice. Moreover, problem areas have emerged, in which agents are to use limited resources cooperatively at an optimal level. To reach cooperation among autonomous rational agents is still a major challenge. Attempts at explaining altruistic cooperation by other disciplines in most cases did not get beyond kinship relations (as a benefit for the gene). The theory of memes, however, is an approach that tries to explain altruism through cultural relations. To promote cooperation among autonomous and rational agents, this study transfers the idea of memetics to and analyzes it in multi-agent systems. For this purpose agents are characterized by cultural traits (memes) and are to solve tasks for which in most cases they need the cooperation of other agents. The interaction of cooperation and meme distribution will be investigated in a theoretical analysis and an empirical simulation in an ad hoc developed framework.

@MastersThesis{Hei09, 
 	 author =  {Heinrich, Stefan},  
 	 title = {Memes and Cooperation in Multiagent Systems}, 
 	 year = {2009},
 	 month = {Sep},
 	 doi = {}, 
 }