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Single Idea 22722

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 8. Contract Strategies ]

Full Idea

The successful TIT FOR TAT strategy (for the iterated prisoner's dilemma) says cooperate on the first round, then do whatever the other player did in the previous round.

Gist of Idea

TIT FOR TAT says cooperate at first, then do what the other player does

Source

William Poundstone (Prisoner's Dilemma [1992], 12 'TIT')

Book Ref

Poundstone,William: 'Prisoner's Dilemma' [OUP 1992], p.240


A Reaction

There are also the tougher TWO TITS FOR A TAT, and the more forgiving TIT FOR TWO TATS. The one-for-one seems to be the main winner, and is commonly seen in animal life (apparently). I recommend this to school teachers.


The 8 ideas with the same theme [subtle ways of getting what you want from people]:

We should not even harm someone who harms us [Socrates]
Someone who keeps all his contracts when others are breaking them is making himself a prey to others [Hobbes]
Punctuality and justice in dealings are excellent for raising a man in the world [Franklin]
By far the easiest way of seeming upright is to be upright [Hare]
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - or else! [Poundstone]
TIT FOR TAT says cooperate at first, then do what the other player does [Poundstone]
Good strategies avoid conflict, respond to hostility, forgive, and are clear [Axelrod]
When players don't meet again, defection is the best strategy [Axelrod]