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Single Idea 2373

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 7. Prisoner's Dilemma ]

Full Idea

He which performeth first in a contract, does but betray himself to his enemy.

Gist of Idea

The first performer in a contract is handing himself over to an enemy

Source

Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan [1651], 1.14)

Book Ref

Hobbes,Thomas: 'Leviathan', ed/tr. Macpherson,C.B. [Penguin 1981], p.196

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The 3 ideas with the same theme [situations where being rational brings failure]:

2373	The first performer in a contract is handing himself over to an enemy [Hobbes]

22720

Two prisoners get the best result by being loyal, not by selfish betrayal [Poundstone]

22721

The tragedy in prisoner's dilemma is when two 'nice' players misread each other [Poundstone]