THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA

Introduction

During one of my lectures on understanding the social being, I came across a topic that caught my eye. Being a reserved person, I found the topic of Prisoner's Dilemma very interesting. It's a paradox that perfectly captures the tension between cooperation and competition, and it's something that I've experienced firsthand in my own life, and I always wondered why someone does that.

I've seen the prisoner's dilemma play out in my own life on many occasions. For example, I've had friends who, when asked for help, just avoid helping, and I've also had experiences where I've felt tempted to betray others. But each time, I've chosen to cooperate, even though I knew that it might hurt me in the long run.

I've come to realize that cooperation is not just a rational choice. It is also a moral choice. I got to learn that my thinking that if I help someone, then they should be indebted to me was very naive of me.

Now I understand that when we cooperate with one another, we can build a better world for everyone, but it is not an obligation if one does not see the future as same as I do. The most important thing is that we create a society where people can trust each other and work together to achieve common goals.

So let me give some insights on the topic so that when we encounter a situation like the prisoner's dilemma next time, we might know how to deal with it.

Source: Dreamstime

Understanding the Prisoner's Dilemma:

Most of us know that cooperation is essential for a healthy society. When we care for each other and work together, we can achieve many great things. But on the other hand, sometimes it might happen that cooperation can be exploited. There will always be people who are willing to betray others in order to get ahead.

This is where the prisoner's dilemma comes in. It is a situation where two people, each acting in their own self-interest, may not cooperate even if it is mutually beneficial for both of them to do so. It is a very classic example of a game where the rational choice is to betray, even though it leads to a worse outcome for everyone involved.

 In many different situations in our own country India, we get to see how the Prisoner's Dilemma is present. Here are some examples:

Indian electronics companies sell their products at much lower prices than international and established companies, which helps them capture a large share of the market. However, this price war is also leading to a decrease in quality, as both companies are forced to cut costs in order to remain competitive. This is a lose-lose situation for both companies, as it is ultimately the consumers who suffer from the decline in quality.

In elections, political parties are so focused on winning that they often resort to negative campaigning and making extreme promises. This can lead to a situation where neither party is truly representing the needs of the people. This creates a prisoner's dilemma where they are not able to see that actually political parties are there to cooperate with the people.

In 2023 itself we get news of violence or discrimination in communities living in the same region: When both communities cooperate by living peacefully together, they both benefit from the economic and social opportunities that come with peace. However, if one community engages in violence or discrimination, it may gain a short-term advantage but the consequences are very severe in the long run. In the end both the communities suffer.

My Conclusion:

As a reserved person, I know that cooperation can be difficult. It can be very difficult to put ourselves out there and trust others. But it is the only way to build meaningful relationships and create a place where we all feel safe and loved.

As the World is developing in the social sense, it is important to promote cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma. When we have a good idea of harmony, building trust between people, and creating opportunities for cooperation it with create a more prosperous and fair future for all.

 You can check out the links provided below to get more ideas about the topic and be more knowledgeable.

** INDIA-CHINA STANDOFF: IS IT A PRISONER'S DILEMMA IN ACTION

    'NOBAPROJECT: COOPERATION/ PRISONER'S DILEMMA'

    A Video on Prisoner's Dilemma**

~PEACE OUT~