Title: On indirect reciprocity : between reciprocity and altruism
Abstract: Indirect reciprocity, defined as acts where the return for a favor comes from someone other than the recipient of the benefaction, is a common phenomenon in human societies. However, it is a poorly analyzed phenomenon with respect to payoffs. Are the expectations of return realistic or not; are they pro social attitudes or illusions induced through manipulation? I recognize four categories of indirect reciprocity, two of which pertain to interaction among individuals, and two of which involve social systems. The conclusion is that two of these categories, reciprocal reputation and institutionalized reciprocity, are strongly linked to reciprocity, whereas the other two categories, generous reputation and metaphysical reciprocity, are likely to involve a high degree of altruism. I discuss the relationship between altruism and reciprocity and its relevance to normative ethics and argue for a strict separation between them instead of a gray zone. On the descriptive level the article argues against the strong tendency in biology to dissolve altruism. Normatively the article argues against the dominant position in philosophy that altruistic norms and acts are desired.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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