Altruism and Selfish Behavior. The Docility Model Revisited

Herbert A. Simon is widely known for his studies on rationality, artificial intelligence and for his pioneering approach to organizational studies. In one of his latest works, he presented a theory of human interaction, focused on the conflict between the selfish and the altruistic that can be seen as the essence of human relationships. The model is quite ambiguous: (1) it follows a kind of social Darwinism that (2) postulates selfish individuals’ extinction. Taking up Simon’s hypotheses on altruism, docility, and selfish behavior, we develop an alternative model of human interaction. The main objective of the paper is to show that rejecting neo-Darwinism and assuming slight complications in the model can explain more in terms of social system interactions. We assume that docility and then altruism, in a technical sense, is the basis of social interaction as it shapes the whole system. It is worth noting that, in the model, selfish individuals do not disappear.docility, altruism, social system, bounded rationality, social interactions, social Darwinism

Extending the Bounded Rationality Model: The Distributed Cognition Approach

The way Simon, and the major part of the scholars, presented and used bounded rationality directly refers to human computational capabilities (or “brute-force”). Despite its broad powers of explanation, some problems arise when taking into account the way the human cognitive system really works. In order to avoid these problems, we present an alternative model of rationality, where computation plays only a part, together with the implemented role of external resources, emotional and other non-strictly-rational variables.bounded rationality, distributed cognition, external resources, decision-making, problem solving, emotions

Stability of the linearized MHD-Maxwell free interface problem

We consider the free boundary problem for the plasma-vacuum interface in ideal compressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). In the plasma region, the flow is governed by the usual compressible MHD equations, while in the vacuum region we consider the Maxwell system for the electric and the magnetic fields, in order to investigate the well-posedness of the problem, in particular in relation with the electric field in vacuum. At the free interface, driven by the plasma velocity, the total pressure is continuous and the magnetic field on both sides is tangent to the boundary. Under suitable stability conditions satisfied at each point of the plasma-vacuum interface, we derive a basic a priori estimate for solutions to the linearized problem. The proof follows by a suitable secondary symmetrization of the Maxwell equations in vacuum and the energy method. An interesting novelty is represented by the fact that the interface is characteristic with variable multiplicity, so that the problem requires a different number of boundary conditions, depending on the direction of the front velocity (plasma expansion into vacuum or viceversa). To overcome this difficulty, we recast the vacuum equations in terms of a new variable which makes the interface characteristic of constant multiplicity. In particular, we don't assume that plasma expands into vacuum.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1112.310

Weak stability of the plasma-vacuum interface problem

We consider the free boundary problem for the two-dimensional plasma-vacuum interface in ideal compressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). In the plasma region, the flow is governed by the usual compressible MHD equations, while in the vacuum region we consider the Maxwell system for the electric and the magnetic fields. At the free interface, driven by the plasma velocity, the total pressure is continuous and the magnetic field on both sides is tangent to the boundary. We study the linear stability of rectilinear plasma-vacuum interfaces by computing the Kreiss-Lopatinskii determinant of an associated linearized boundary value problem. Apart from possible resonances, we obtain that the piecewise constant plasma-vacuum interfaces are always weakly linearly stable, independently of the size of tangential velocity, magnetic and electric fields on both sides of the characteristic discontinuity. We also prove that solutions to the linearized problem obey an energy estimate with a loss of regularity with respect to the source terms, both in the interior domain and on the boundary, due to the failure of the uniform Kreiss-Lopatinskii condition, as the Kreiss-Lopatinskii determinant associated with this linearized boundary value problem has roots on the boundary of the frequency space. In the proof of the a priori estimates, a crucial part is played by the construction of symmetrizers for a reduced differential system, which has poles at which the Kreiss-Lopatinskii condition may fail simultaneously.Comment: 38 page

Docility and “through doing” morality: An alternative approach to ethics

In this paper, we aim at presenting the distributed morality approach as it can be described by the docility model of social interactions. The proposition “morality is a matter of social interaction” constitutes our starting point. We aim at pointing out the ways through which individuals create moral alternatives to a given situation. The paper is dedicated to presenting morality as something connected to human cognition. We introduce a “manipulative” way of thinking about morality, and we argue that it is “distributed” through things, animals, computers, and other human beings (section I); furthermore, the idea of a type of “through doing” morality comes up. Then, we find that this model supports an alternative view of the socio-economic system and, therefore, we suggest that the docility model (section II, as amended from Simon’s original model 1990; 1993), fits the case. The field of business ethics exempts useful insights from research on this issue. Recent studies on moral thinking and moral imagination seem to support this research project.cognition, distributed morality, docility, social interactions, socioeconomic system

The public service-motivated volunteer devoting time or effort: a review and research agenda

The purpose of this conceptual article is to further our understanding of how evolving volunteer trends impact on volunteering intensity. The aim is to provide clarity by applying to the volunteer literature a theoretical framework that can be adapted to different ways in which people volunteer and thus may inform subsequent empirical work. First, we address academic debates concerning the measurement of volunteer effort. Second, we propose using public service motivation (PSM) theory as a means to understand the motivation of volunteers across sectors. We suggest that different PSM dimensions may be more dominant in certain volunteer settings than others and incorporate person–organisation fit as a means to understand the relationship between PSM and volunteering intensity. Finally, this article proposes directions for future research

Triggers and damages of organizational defensive routines

Existing research on organizational defensive routines (ODRs) posits that they have strong and intertwined individual and organizational components. However, the literature has not yet systematically isolated and analyzed factors at both levels that trigger ODRs. This paper first utilizes theory on organizational routines to explain the characteristics of ODRs. Next, it identifies their individual and organizational level triggers. At the individual level factors generating ODRs are general self-efficacy, locus of control, and neuroticism while those operating at the organizational level are organizational politics, red tape, and organizational structure. The paper finally explores the potential damages ODRs could cause to individuals and organizations related to individuals’ job satisfaction, work engagement, organizational ambidexterity, and organizational learning. The theoretical model in this paper builds a foundation for future empirical study and extends theoretically the nomological network of ODRs