Virtue only produces social benefit when embedded in reciprocal networks

Evidence

Whereas physical capital refers to physical objects and human capital refers to properties of individuals, social capital refers to connections among individuals—social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them. In that sense social capital is closely related to what some have called “civic virtue.” The difference is that “social capital” calls attention to the fact that civic virtue is most powerful when embedded in a dense network of reciprocal social relations. A society of many virtuous but isolated individuals is not necessarily rich in social capital. — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 34

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharply distinguishes social capital from civic virtue — the network, not the individual trait, is the carrier of value.
• XREF: Directly engages the reader’s core research interest: solidarity formed by shared networks and norms rather than out-group opposition. The ‘virtuous but isolated individuals’ phrasing also connects to the earlier reader note that a society of many virtuous individuals may lack solidarity. — connects to: Reciprocal trust creates mutual incentives for trustworthiness — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 166; Trustworthiness requires social embedding that constrains opportunism — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 61

Broader Connections

• Reciprocal trust creates mutual incentives for trustworthiness #corroborates (0.85) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 166
• Trustworthiness requires social embedding that constrains opportunism #expands (0.80) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 61