Talented individuals merit larger shares because their outside options are stronger.
Evidence
Second, individuals endowed with a special talent, who have the ability to produce larger benefits than others, should receive a larger fraction of the common good. In every potential interaction into which a talented individual can potentially enter, she will find herself in an efficient interaction (an interaction in which at least one player is talented; namely, herself), whereas less talented individuals may often find themselves in inefficient ventures. In any given interaction, the average outside opportunities of a talented player are thus greater, and hence she should receive a larger fraction of the benefits; otherwise, she is better off refusing to take part in the interaction. Again, individuals benefit equally from the interaction, given the value of the talents and abilities they invested in the interaction. — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 50
Categorization
- XREF: Connects to Baumard’s partner-choice model of fairness and to bargaining theory — the ‘outside option’ logic reads like a cooperative-games Nash bargaining argument in evolutionary clothing. — connects to: People accept large inequalities they judge as earned or deserved. — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 712; Humans pervasively prefer meritocratic benefit distributions. — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 93; An outsider’s strength improves the weaker player’s bargaining position — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 366 (+4 more)
Related
- Humans pervasively prefer meritocratic benefit distributions. (similarity 0.83)
- Fairness distributions reflect bargaining power, not just effort. (similarity 0.81)
- An outsider’s strength improves the weaker player’s bargaining position (similarity 0.80)
- Fairness emerges when partner choice links each interaction to outside opportunities. (similarity 0.79)
Broader Connections
- People accept large inequalities they judge as earned or deserved.
#expands(0.85) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 712 - Humans pervasively prefer meritocratic benefit distributions.
#corroborates(0.80) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 93 - Fairness evolved as a psychological device because outside market options constrain benefit distribution.
#expands(0.80) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 201 - An outsider’s strength improves the weaker player’s bargaining position
#corroborates(0.75) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 366 - Earned entitlements and game framing change how much people share.
#qualifies(0.75) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 127 - Superior resources and skill can actually disadvantage a bargainer
#responds-to(0.72) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 61