【有本好书送给你】“公开的秘密”为何最难打破：共同知识如何左右市场预期与群体选择

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of "common knowledge" as a foundational concept in human cooperation and social functioning, highlighting its role in shaping societal behaviors and expectations [8][36]. Group 1: Definition and Characteristics of Common Knowledge - Common knowledge is defined as a state where individuals not only know a fact but also know that others know it, creating a recursive understanding that influences behavior [10][36]. - It differs from private knowledge, which only requires individuals to know the same information without awareness of others' knowledge [12][24]. - The concept is crucial for understanding social coordination, as it allows individuals to align their actions based on shared awareness [11][36]. Group 2: Impact on Social Behavior - Common knowledge facilitates cooperation by enabling complementary choices among individuals, leading to mutually beneficial outcomes [12][36]. - It plays a significant role in public life, explaining phenomena such as social norms, rituals, and collective behaviors, which can sometimes lead to negative outcomes like panic or economic bubbles [11][36]. - The article discusses how common knowledge can create non-material realities, influencing societal structures like language, religion, and governance [35][36]. Group 3: Examples and Applications - The article uses the example of the children's story "The Emperor's New Clothes" to illustrate how common knowledge can shift public perception and behavior [10][36]. - It highlights the importance of language as a primary form of common knowledge, enabling effective communication and coordination among individuals [25][36]. - The article also addresses the challenges of achieving common knowledge in social interactions, using the "dating game" scenario to illustrate coordination difficulties [32][36].