GAME THEORY - A Justification for Kantian Ethics ?

[Ramiiam]

I probably haven't understood you well. In the game theory experiment, each player has an objective, to maximize his winnings over time. Outcomes-based ethnics is anti-Kantian, no?

[Hythloday71]

@Ramiiam - u R right, but in the particular game, the best strategy is to 'share', it is only the best strategy BECAUSE we can reason how the other person ought, indeed WILL reason. It is this fact, to which i draw the parrallels with Kantian ethics. This is very close to the justification Kant gives as to why we ought respect persons - namely that they similarily are imbued with dignity and REASON. Actually the best strategy is Tit for tat, simply, and with forgiveness, with complications.

[Hythloday71]

@Ramiiam - u R right, but in the particular game, the best strategy is to 'share', it is only the best strategy BECAUSE we can reason how the other person ought, indeed WILL reason. It is this fact, to which i draw the parrallels with Kantian ethics. This is very close to the justification Kant gives as to why we ought respect persons - namely that they similarily are imbued with dignity and REASON. Actually the best strategy is Tit for tat, simply, and with forgiveness, with complications.

[Hythloday71]

@Hythloday71 - Prof Sapolsky says that all other strategies are 'driven to extinction' being the phrasing. I say we can know how the other person WILL reason. This is IF he reasons, that is, he will be led by mathematics of game theory to the same conclusion. In any individual encounter, u can't say being selfish will loose with an alternate strategy, it would seem apparent that in a one of game the lone stealer does have chance to WIN. The idea though is that in the long term he willl loose.

[Ramiiam]

@Hythloday71 BTW, while a student in the 1980s I was a volunteer in one of these experiments. It was some variation that targeted the "collective action" question. Players had a choice to contribute some of their money to a communal fund that, if it reached a certain amount, would increase all the players winnings. However, some players might be tempted to under-contribute in hopes others would over-contribute--the "free-rider" problem.

Still planning to respond to those Kantian lectures?

[Hythloday71]

@Ramiiam - yes, will soon get back on track, have started back uni, needed a break also after the DLandon affair and riots - got to watch myself in my final yr - don't want to get too sucked into this utubing business at the mo.