Herbert A. Simon

Herbert A. Simon (June 15, 1916 – February 9, 2001) was an American economist, political scientist, and psychologist who received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1978 for his work in the area of decision-making. He is widely considered to be one of the founders of the field of behavioral economics.

Simon was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago in 1943. He taught at the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Simon's work in economics focused on the study of decision-making. He argued that humans are not rational actors, but rather make decisions based on heuristics and biases. He also developed the concept of bounded rationality, which states that humans have limited cognitive capacity and therefore cannot make perfectly rational decisions.

Simon's work in political science focused on the study of public administration. He argued that public administration is a science, and that it can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government. He also developed the concept of the "administrative state," which refers to the complex system of government agencies that are responsible for implementing public policy.

Simon's work in psychology focused on the study of problem-solving. He argued that problem-solving is a creative process, and that it involves the use of heuristics and biases. He also developed the concept of "satisficing," which refers to the process of finding a solution that is good enough, rather than the best possible solution.

Simon's work has had a profound impact on the fields of economics, political science, and psychology. He is considered to be one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.

In addition to his academic work, Simon was also a public intellectual. He wrote several books and articles for a general audience, and he appeared frequently on television and radio. He was also a strong advocate for the use of science and technology to solve social problems.

Simon died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2001. He was 84 years old.

Simon's work has had a lasting impact on the way we think about decision-making, public administration, and problem-solving. He is considered to be one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.