Second-order free-riding problem solved? (reply) (original) (raw)

Human cooperation

Nature volume 437, pages E8–E9 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

We have shown that, if a system of indirect reciprocity is stable, exclusion from that system could deter collective-action cheats1. Unlike direct punishment2,3,4,5, indirect punishers benefit by avoiding donation, obviating the second-order free-rider problem. Fowler claims6, however, that we assume away the second-order free-rider problem, and (by adding a new error term) argues that indirect-reciprocity defectors undermine cooperation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Panchanathan, K. & Boyd, R. Nature 432, 499–502 (2004).
    Article CAS ADS Google Scholar
  2. Boyd, R. & Richerson, P. Ethol. Sociobiol. 13, 171–195 (1992).
    Article Google Scholar
  3. Gintis, H. J. Theor. Biol. 206, 169–179 (2000).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Henrich, J. & Boyd, R. J. Theor. Biol. 208, 79–89 (2001).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. Boyd, R., Gintis, H., Bowles, S. & Richerson, P. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 3531–3535 (2003).
    Article CAS ADS Google Scholar
  6. Fowler, J. H. Nature 437, E8 (2005). 10.1038/nature04201
    Article CAS PubMed ADS Google Scholar
  7. Nowak, M. & Sigmund, K. J. Theor. Biol. 194, 561–574 (1998).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  8. Panchanathan, K. & Boyd, R. J. Theor. Biol. 224, 115–126 (2003).
    Article Google Scholar
  9. Hamilton, W. D. J. Theor. Biol. 7, 1–52 (1964).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  10. Axelrod, R. & Hamilton, W. D. Science 211, 1390–1396 (1981).
    Article MathSciNet CAS ADS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Culture and Department of Anthropology, Center for Behavior, Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, California, USA
    Karthik Panchanathan & Rob Boyd

Authors

  1. Karthik Panchanathan
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Rob Boyd
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toKarthik Panchanathan.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Panchanathan, K., Boyd, R. Second-order free-riding problem solved? (reply).Nature 437, E8–E9 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04202

Download citation

This article is cited by