There’s an argument that I run into occasionally that I have some difficulty with.
Let’s say I tell someone that voting is pointless, because one vote is extremely unlikely to alter the outcome of the election. Then someone might tell me that if everyone thought the way I do, democracy would be impossible.
And they may be right, but since everyone doesn’t think the way I do, I don’t find it to be a persuasive argument.
Other examples would be littering, abusing community resources, overusing antibiotics, et cetera. They may all be harmful, but if only one additional person does them, the net increased negative effect is likely negligible.
Does this type of argument have a name and where can I learn more about it? Feel free to share your own opinions/reflections on it as well if you think it’s relevant!
The related behavior pattern where everyone contributes to the collective problem is sometimes referred to as the tragedy of the commons. I’m fonder of “no single raindrop feels responsible for the flood,” myself.
There’s an argument that I run into occasionally that I have some difficulty with.
Let’s say I tell someone that voting is pointless, because one vote is extremely unlikely to alter the outcome of the election. Then someone might tell me that if everyone thought the way I do, democracy would be impossible.
And they may be right, but since everyone doesn’t think the way I do, I don’t find it to be a persuasive argument.
Other examples would be littering, abusing community resources, overusing antibiotics, et cetera. They may all be harmful, but if only one additional person does them, the net increased negative effect is likely negligible.
Does this type of argument have a name and where can I learn more about it? Feel free to share your own opinions/reflections on it as well if you think it’s relevant!
Try searching for “free rider problem” or “tragedy of the commons.”
Here are the relevant Wiki pages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_rider_problem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons
That’s exactly it. I used to know that, can’t believe I forgot it. Thanks!
The related behavior pattern where everyone contributes to the collective problem is sometimes referred to as the tragedy of the commons. I’m fonder of “no single raindrop feels responsible for the flood,” myself.