By Andrew Klein
Jesus’ teachings and the concept of Nash Equilibrium may appear to be entirely different realms – spiritual and mathematical – but they offer interesting points of intersection regarding cooperation, mutual benefit, and decision-making.
Nash Equilibrium, named after mathematician John Nash, is a concept in game theory that describes a situation where, in a strategic game involving two or more players, no player can benefit by changing their strategy while the other players keep their strategies unchanged. In other words, each player’s strategy is optimal, given the strategies of others. It often applies to non-cooperative games where communication and cooperation are limited.
Mutual Benefit and Cooperation:
Jesus emphasised teachings centred around love, compassion, forgiveness, and community. These principles align with situations where individuals or groups seek mutual benefit and collaboration. In a Nash Equilibrium context, the best solution for all players often involves cooperation rather than competition, which could reflect Jesus’ teachings on helping others and working together for common goals.
Jesus taught the principles of love and forgiveness, urging his followers to act in ways that promote peace and understanding. In game theory, the decisions made by individuals can lead to better outcomes when they align their choices with cooperative strategies. This mirrors the idea that Christian teachings advocate for pursuing moral actions that lead to better collective outcomes rather than selfish ones.
In Nash Equilibrium, stability is achieved when no individual has the incentive to deviate from their chosen strategy. Similarly, in Jesus’ teachings, relationships built on love, forgiveness, and understanding lead to more stable and harmonious communities. The teachings can be seen as encouraging a social environment where individuals achieve personal fulfillment and community well-being through stable, cooperative interactions.
The teaching of Jesus often included warnings against selfishness and conflict, highlighting how such behaviours negatively impact both individuals and the community. This correlates with game theory challenges, where failure to reach an equilibrium leads to suboptimal outcomes for all involved, emphasising the importance of cooperation for collective benefit.
While Nash Equilibrium provides a mathematical framework for analysing strategic decision-making in competitive environments, Jesus’ teachings offer a moral framework for human interactions that inherently emphasises cooperation and altruism. Thus, both concepts underscore the importance of mutual understanding, cooperation, and the choice of strategies that benefit the community at large. Through embracing love and compassion, as taught by Jesus, individuals may arrive at outcomes that mirror the stability of Nash Equilibrium in their interpersonal relationships and communal engagements.
Dear reader, I am not writing this to convert you to Christianity. In fact, I venture to suggest that a number of religious traditions and philosophical perspectives over the ages probably met the very same criteria when applied by decent human beings in good faith. The study of the Confucian writing from the Warring States Period may arrive at the same conclusion.
My point here is to raise the question, “Why do we keep making the same mistakes?”
I suggest that the military industrial complex got a good head start during the American Civil War, that the creation of the German Imperial model by Bismarck and the Kaiser facilitated the physical leap into the ‘ Military Industrial Complex’ as a major business model in the 21st Century as demonstrated by the United States of America.
A business needs customers and this rather nasty business requires wars to purchase its wares.
Eisenhower did warn Americans about the dangers of the ‘Military Industrial Complex’ but on reflection I feel that he already knew that it was out of control by the time he left the presidency.
Please think about how we, the ordinary citizens can force change within our own political structures, to prevent the catastrophic outcomes desired by the American Christian Fundamentalists and Dominionist (the end of days, Armageddon and the rapture of the lucky few).
The arrival of Trump and the Trump administration was not on my bingo card and I think that the certainties of the post WWII era are now gone. ‘ICE’ sends shivers down my spine, the term “Gazafication” has entered my own lexicon, with all the horror that it implies, all the horror we have had live-streamed to us since ‘October 7’.
Can we rely on government to establish an equilibrium that follows Nash mathematical approach? No, I don’t think so.
“Robodebt” should have woken us up to the reality that the new frontier of the Military Industrial Complex is with us, everywhere.
Targeting individuals according to post codes as high risk, blurring our humanity with data points. Next time you go shopping at Coles, for example, know that you are surveilled and I can’t tell you where that data ends up and I doubt that anyone else can either.
I do beg you to think.
Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.
One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.
With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.
Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.
You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969
If there’s one thing more reliable than a Murdoch headline claiming Western civilisation is under…
Here in 2035 it’s hard to remember how bad things used to be back before…
By Denis Hay 🎧 Listen to this article: Discover why public service models outperform private…
By Denis Bright Drumming up support for Palestine in the spirit of the recent…
Far north in the boughs of a blood-redwood tree, where the morning mist curls and…
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has offered some comforting words to the more than 17…
View Comments
Thank you Andrew,
How interesting to compare and contrast the teachings of Jesus and a mathematical theory or analysis of the competitive nature of games playing.
Surely the underlying motivation in conflict is the need to prove that "i'm better than you',
Jesus in effect said, 'No you're not, we can be all equally good, if only we listen to and respond to each other's needs'. But in a competitive environment, that is forgotten, the need to prove superiority is the prime motivator.