ABSTRACT

In their introductory chapter, Smithson and Foddy provide an overview of the epistemo-logical status of theory and research paradigms in the study of social dilemmas as represented by the contributions to this anthology. We seek to complement their perspective by considering the implications of these contributions for advancing our understanding of the nature of human sociality. The starting point of our discussion is the recognition that social dilemmas constitute part of the fabric of human existence, one of the fundamental conditions that shaped the course of human evolution. From this perspective, social dilemmas are aspects of a dynamical system, rather than discrete problems to be solved. The strength of the present volume lies in the acknowledgment and development of this systems approach that emerges from every chapter.