Religion als Anreiz für Kooperation

Abstract Might religion function as an incentive for cooperation? This article defends that religion is an incentive for cooperation from both an evolutionary perspective (based on game-theoretical models) and a philosophical perspective. Religion (defined as god-fearing behavior) can be described as evolutionary advantageous since one refrained from actions perceived as immoral and contrary to God’s will. Under the assumption that god-fearing behavior is equal to cooperative behavior, god-fearing behavior is a corrective for ethical failure. However, even today religion can function as a corrective for ethical failure: religion can dissolve the contrast between morality and self-interest by promoting one’s ability to see an intrinsic value in cooperative, moral behavior.