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Bemerkungen zur Minimalmoral
Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch, Vol. 116 (1996), Iss. 2 : pp. 223–251
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Kirchgässner, Gebhard
Abstract
First, a definition and classification of moral (or altruistic) behaviour is given. Then, referring to low cost situations, several reasons are presented why some minimal moral requirements are necessary for the functioning of a democratic society with a market order. It is shown that attempts to reduce morality to self-interest, as performed by various approaches in contract and game theory, are not convincing. We discuss how moral behaviour can emerge and under which conditions it may remain stable. Finally, we point to some dangers of relying on moral behaviour.