The Evolution of Cooperation was published in 1984 and created quite a storm in the fields of game theory and evolutionary biology. The prisoner’s dilemma is an example of Nash equilibrium which is paradoxical because the optimal strategy is one of mutual betrayal. The Evolution of Cooperation, however, seems to suggest that cooperation can evolve when the prisoner’s dilemma is iterated. Nice guys can come first?

This has implications for business, information security and even international relations – the prisoner’s dilemma was often used as a modeel for the Cold War stand-off between the USA and the USSR. For me, reading this book some 40 years ago, the idea was challenging. I am an avid believer that evolution is key to understanding human behaviour and I had read The Selfish Gene, published in 1976: so my genes hate your genes?

In my presentation I would first like to introduce the experiment and ideas given in Axelrod’s book. For those who wish to do a little homework I can heartily recommend the YouTube by the astounding Veritassium (Derek Muller).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScpHTIi-kM

Parenthetically, Veritassium is a science communicator of world standing. His videos are outstanding, and he should be known by all Australian atheists.

So, do nice guys come first? In my presentation I would like to briefly share my experience of over 40 years of living with this question.

Dr Ian Storey