On the importance of altruism, prosocial behavior and Christian love in behavioral economics studies (ალტრუიზმის, პროსოციალური ქმედებისა და ქრისტიანული სიყვარულის მნიშვნელობა ქცევითი ეკონომიკის კვლევებში)
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University Press
Abstract
In Behavioral Economics, research of prosocial behavior large-scale
cooperation between strangers remains one of the most challenging and puzzling
questions. In economic relations the risk of opportunistic behavior and cheating
always exists. Opportunistic and selfish decisions may lead society to various
suboptimal and ineffective economic equilibrium.
In recent theories of social preferences the relations between egoist and
the “strong reciprocal” type of individuals are of crucial importance. And in these
relations “Altruistic Punishment” is critical: If there is no altruistic punishment,
cooperation between parties cannot be sustained. In presence of punishment
mechanism and certain conditions, the strong reciprocator individual can enforce
the whole group of selfish individuals to act prosaically and cooperate.
Whether it is an altruist, a reciprocal altruist or a strong reciprocal individual,
their behavior in social preferences theories are mute about moral system.
However, altruism is a moral concept of Positivism Philosophy. Large part of
Behavioral Economics theories analyzes origins of altruism and prosocial behavior
in Evolutionary Theory framework.
The evolutionary worldview and Christian worldview, altruism and Christian
love are contradictory. As a result of our analysis, altruism is a hidden and
complicated form of selfishness. Therefore, the established view that altruism
and prosocial behavior differ, as first is focused on the well-being of “others” and
the latter is self-centered, is misleading: both altruism and prosocial behavior are
ultimately self-centered concepts.
The puzzle of large-scale cooperation between strangers is derived from
evolutionary paradigm itself. If we come out of the “captivity” of this paradigm
and are guided by the Christian worldview, we think that scientific research will be
more fruitful. In our view, it is time to pay attention to the rich intellectual heritage
of Christian teaching that can significantly contribute to the welfare of society.
Description
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Keywords
Behavioral economics, altruism, prosocial behavior, Christian love, Christian worldview, evolutionary worldview
Citation
Economics and Business, №3, 2020, pp. 138-153