Why people don’t shoot when they should
Ethics
This (see photo) is an altruistic punisher. The shooter is not the bad guy, it is the bold guy acting in the name of a greater good. He represents both the law which deters cheaters from disobeying the rules, and the individuals, who take action againt people whose behavior undermines rules of fairness and trust. Howard Rheingold (2005) during his speech about collaboration: “Altruistic punishment may be the glue that holds societies together.”
Why does this matter? Well, when was the last time you punched someone in the head for derogatory behavior?
I am qualified to talk about this, as i have been a blue-eyed prey to unfair behavior several times, and an altruistic punisher at other times.
Most of the time, we let the assholes get away, and leave it to the institutions to keep the peace. I would argue that civilization can continue if those institutions, and a few brave individuals, care to keep uncooperative behavior in check. One of those few is Robert Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't.
Sometimes the only way to conquer corruption is corruptive counteraction. This makes it difficult to discern who is who.
On which side is George W. Bush? It might be too easy to point the finger at him, because the thing he wages war against is elusive and covert. Exactly here lies the risk of the altruistic punisher. Instead of exposing the aggressor, you are suddenly the aggressor.
People are afraid to stand up against injustice. They look away, smile, and pride themselves of being emotionally intelligent. Emotional intelligence turns out to be a delusionary way of making believe that restraining your emotions is good. The result: Zombies. Everywhere - except in the movies.
Our behavior is not nearly as rational as economists used to think. Altruistic punishment is obviously not rational behavior, and yet i would argue that it is, as it is driven by something involving our emotions and an inherited sense of justice which is evolutionarily rational to occur. Rational behavior is not possible, when such emotions are subdued.
Society needs people who shoot. For the right thing, for the true thing. Shooting is possibily the reason why a civilized society did emerge in the first place.
Published: February 15, 2008
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