In the sense of the values awarded for cooperation vs competition? Sure it's an approximation but that doesn't mean it's arbitrary. The entire point is to explore the nature of altruistic behavior, which we know exists. We know there are deer who groom each other even though it is in each deer's best interest to be groomed but not groom in turn. There is a larger benefit to betrayal than to cooperation but a cost associated with everyone acting selfishly.

The prisoner's dilemma is a model of reality. Sure you can insert numbers that make it work in reverse but it's as valid as saying gravity is 4m/s² proves that I won't die by jumping off this building.

[–] essellburns@beehaw.org 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

In any form it's fundamentally misleading as a model.

Even if we were to accept that the dilemma proves the value of universal cooperation, achieving that outcome would create the most fertile environment for exploitation. When everyone is trusting, that's the best time to lie.

[–] petrol_sniff_king@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 10 months ago

Hence backbone.

The best strategy is cooperation... with backbone.

[–] huginn@feddit.it 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Your ignorance of the solution is on full display, and you should probably go look up what the solution is before you act like you know what you're talking about.

[–] essellburns@beehaw.org 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

My students will be so disappointed to learn of my ignorance when I cover that topic this year. I'll have to get your input on my lesson plans. 😏

[–] huginn@feddit.it 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I despair for your school

[–] essellburns@beehaw.org 1 points 10 months ago

It's a university