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Single Idea 6447

[from 'Equality and Partiality' by Thomas Nagel, in 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 6. Game Theory ]

Full Idea

I do not favour the route taken by Hobbes's modern descendants, using game theory, since I believe the impersonal standpoint makes an essential contribution to individual motivation which must be addressed by any ethically acceptable theory.

Gist of Idea

Game theory misses out the motivation arising from the impersonal standpoint

Source

Thomas Nagel (Equality and Partiality [1991], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Nagel,Thomas: 'Equality and Partiality' [OUP 1995], p.34


A Reaction

The assumption of self-seeking at the core of game theory seems very bizarre, and leads to moral approval of free riders. Nagel offers the best response, which is the Kantian impersonal view. Nagel may be optimistic about motivation, though.