Exploring Collective Action Problems through a Physics Lens

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Collective action problems involve individuals being hesitant to commit to a strategy as they fear bearing the consequences alone if others do not follow suit, leading to a situation where achieving a common goal seems impractical. Viewing this through a physics lens, it can be likened to statistical mechanics, with individuals constantly interacting and potentially reaching different equilibria based on factors like coupling strength and 'temperature'. This perspective highlights the complexity of navigating collective action problems, emphasizing the dynamic and interconnected nature of human interactions.

When it comes to social change, two questions immediately present themselves: What kind of change do we want to see happen? And, how do we bring it about? These questions are distinct but related; there's not much point in spending all of our time wanting change that won't possibly happen, or working for change that wouldn't actually be good. Addressing such issues lies at the intersection of philosophy, political science, and social dynamics. Sahar Heydari Fard looks at all of these issues through the lens of complex systems theory, to better understand how the world works and how it might be improved.

Blog post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/03/18/269-sahar-heydari-fard-on-complexity-justice-and-social-dynamics/

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Sahar Heydari Fard received a Masters in applied economics and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently an assistant professor in philosophy at the Ohio State University. Her research lies at the intersection of social and behavioral sciences, social and political philosophy, and ethics, using tools from complex systems theory.

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