The Fair Share Theory of Conventional Normativity - Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy
jesp.org
Why do humans follow social rules even when no one is watching? This paper's "Fair Share Theory" argues norm compliance is less about enforcement and more about deeply wired social reciprocity.
Social Norm TheoryReciprocity TheoryCooperative Game TheoryMoral Internalism
Theory Briefing
- Humans are described as inherently norm-following creatures, strongly disposed to adopt social rules without external compulsion.
- The Fair Share Theory proposes that conventional normativity is best explained by each person doing their reciprocal part in cooperative schemes.
- This challenges pure enforcement-based accounts of social norms, suggesting internalized fairness — not punishment fear — is the most reliable compliance mechanism.