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As we said, to take into account those motives and rewards in
Y
, is not seeing
Y
as 'irrational';
Y
can be perfectly
subjectively
rational (given his real, internal rewards).
Economists and game theorists frequently enough decide from outside what are the values (to
be) taken into account in a given decision or game (like to go to vote, or to persist in a previous
investment), they have a 'prescriptive' attitude; and
they do not want to consider the hidden,
personal, non-official values and rewards taken into account by real human subjects
. Relative
to the external and official outcomes the subjects' decisions and conducts look 'irrational', but
considering their real internal values, they are not at all.
Finally, it would be in its own right a form of irrational assumption, to ascribe to the other an
irrational mind, while ascribing to ourselves rational capabilities; trusting the others assuming
that they are different from us, and exploiting their presumed stupidity.
6
Thus, counting on
those 'strange' motives (of
any
kind) seen in
Y
is neither irrational per se nor is counting on
Y
's irrationality.
8.2 Is Trust an 'Optimistic' and Irrational Attitude and Decision?
It is fairly commonplace for the attitude and decision to trust somebody and to rely on him is
per se'
to be considered rather irrational. Is this true and necessary? Is it irrational to decide
to trust, to rely on others and take risks? Is trust too 'optimistic' and a decision or expectation
that is ungrounded?
8.2.1 The Rose-Tinted Glasses of Trust
Frequently trust implies optimism, and optimists are prone to trust people. What is the basis of
such a relationship and how 'irrational' is optimism? Trust frequently goes beyond evidence
and proof, and doesn't even search for (sufficient) evidence and proof.
7
It can be a default
attitude:
'Till I do not have negative evidence, I will assume that
'
; it can be a personality
trait, an affective disposition (see Chapter 5). Is this necessarily an 'irrational' attitude and
decision from an individual's perspective?
...
Optimism -1
As we have anticipated in Chapter 4, one feature defining
optimism
is precisely the fact that
the subject, in the case of insufficient evidence, of a lack of knowledge, assumes all the
uncertain cases in favor of her desired result. Her positive expectation is not restricted to the
favorable evidence, but she assumes the positive outcome as 'plausible' (not impossible) (see
Figure 8.1).
On the contrary, a prudent or pessimistic attitude, maintains the positive expectation within
the limits of the evidence and data, while where there is uncertainty and ignorance the subject
considers the negative eventuality (see Figure 8.2).
6
Of course, it is also possible and perfectly rational in specific cases and circumstances, and on the basis of specific
evidence, to trust Y precisely because he is naıve or even stupid.
7
It should be clear that to us this is not a necessary, definitional trait of trust, but it is quite typical. It is more
definitional of “faith” or a special form of trust: the 'blind' or 'faithful' one.
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