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Mark Alfano is a philosopher at Macquarie University with expertise in moral psychology, ethics, and Nietzsche, joins me to explore how morality supports human cooperation.
Curious about the roots of our moral instincts, I ask Mark to unpack his collaboration with Oliver Curry and Mark Chung, who use game theory to frame morality as strategies for win-win outcomes, like the stag hunt. Drawing on his research, Mark explains how evolutionarily stable strategies—such as reciprocity, fairness, and conflict resolution—shape our behavior, often instinctively, across cultures and even in animals.
We also discuss Nietzsche’s view on virtues as unique to individuals and the value of critiquing one’s own culture. This conversation offers a clear look at morality’s evolutionary and philosophical underpinnings for those intrigued by why we cooperate.
