mathematical derivations from a theory that starts from the assumption that people are motivated only to pursue their own economic self-interest. In our view, such an assumption is short-sighted and overly narrow, if not entirely wrong. We believe, on the basis of the evidence presented here, that most public goods problems are eminently soluble as long as people are not denied the opportunity for discussion, collaboration, and cooperation.
This analysis shows how the "rational man" prediction might change with different N or different proportions of short and long straws. Suppose there were ten survivors and eight short straws and only two long straws. In this case, the rational choice is to agree to the lottery only if U[Res] -- U[D10] is more than four times greater than U[D10] -- U[Di], that is, if the utility of ten days aboard the lifeboat until dying is less than 1/ 5 of the way between utility of immediate death and the utility of rescue.
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Publication Information: Book Title: Social Dilemmas: Perspectives on Individuals and Groups. Contributors: David A. Schroeder - editor. Publisher: Praeger Publishers. Place of Publication: Westport, CT. Publication Year: 1995. Page Number: 86.
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