The Vestermark Effect

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Genes evolve in a setting where we live in small clan groups, no larger than 150 or so. That's the level where we can organize things just by keeping track of reputations. And if you act badly in that setting, you'll get put outside the wall and eaten by wool. But at some point, when we get into larger groups, then it may be more difficult for us to detect dissembling.

Economist and author Michael Munger of Duke University talks about human wants and desires with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Human beings have desires about our desires. Can we change what we want? And how should economists and normal human beings think about doing the right thing, what we often call morality? Is acting morally self-interested behavior or is it possible to act selflessly?