04 March 2011

Self-interested behavior & voluntary behavior

How do we distinguish between self-interested behavior and voluntary behavior? 
Is it possible to act in an altruistic way that is voluntary while at the same time not being self-interested? The problem with that construction is that motive is ascribed entirely to outcome. In that construction therefore decisions are determined entirely by the incentives implicit  in the pay-off matrix. 
When we construct motive as tied to relationship we open the possibility of acting out of moral considerations that are not tautologically self-interested because the motive in the first place is not tied to interest but tied instead to affection. 
It could be the introduction of culture enables the evolution of affection. 

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