EPISODE · Oct 2, 2021 · 44 MIN
47. Robert Axelrod on Why Being Nice, Forgiving, and Provokable are the Best Strategies for Life
from People I (Mostly) Admire · host Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
The prisoner’s dilemma is a classic game-theory problem. Robert, a political scientist at the University of Michigan, has spent his career studying it — and the ways humans can cooperate, or betray each other, for their own benefit. He and Steve talk about the best way to play it and how it shows up in real world situations, from war zones to Steve’s own life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
The prisoner’s dilemma is a classic game-theory problem. Robert, a political scientist at the University of Michigan, has spent his career studying it — and the ways humans can cooperate, or betray each other, for their own benefit. He and Steve talk about the best way to play it and how it shows up in real world situations, from war zones to Steve’s own life.
NOW PLAYING
47. Robert Axelrod on Why Being Nice, Forgiving, and Provokable are the Best Strategies for Life
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 3, 2026 ·44m
Feb 21, 2026 ·30m
Feb 4, 2026 ·18m
Jan 2, 2026 ·47m