The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 390. The Prisoner's Dilemma, Tit-for-Tat and Game Theory | Robert Sapolsky
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Oct 23, 2023 
Robert Sapolsky, a renowned neuroendocrinologist and author, dives into the fascinating world of Game Theory and human behavior. They discuss the tit-for-tat strategy in fostering cooperation, the role of dopamine in anticipation and motivation, and how trust operates in digital versus face-to-face interactions. Sapolsky also highlights the evolution of moral behavior across species and the consequences of competition on altruism. He even explores how our psychological mechanisms influence heroism and creativity, making for a compelling conversation.
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The Self as a Community Across Time
- The self is a community across time, experiencing various states like dominance and vulnerability.
- Treating this "self-community" well mirrors treating others well, reflecting the Golden Rule.
One-off vs. Repeated Interactions
- If interactions are one-off, the logical choice is always to not cooperate and betray others.
- Cooperation emerges when future interactions are uncertain, favoring long-term strategies.
The Prisoner's Dilemma and Tit-for-Tat
- The Prisoner's Dilemma demonstrates how cooperation or betrayal impact outcomes in repeated interactions.
- Tit-for-tat, a simple strategy of reciprocating the other player's action, emerged as the most successful.
