Single Idea 22723

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 8. Contract Strategies]

Full Idea

TIT FOR TAT threatens 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - or else!'.

Gist of Idea

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - or else!

Source

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

Book Reference

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


A Reaction

Essentially human happiness arises if we are all nice, but also stand up firmly for ourselves. 'Doormats' (nice all the time) get exploited. TIT FOR TAT is weak, because it doesn't exploit people who don't respond at all.