Empathy Conservation: What Did We Learn From the Experiments Testing the Metaeconomic Framework and Dual-interest Theory?

Authors

Natalia V. Czap, University of Michigan-DearbornFollow
Hans J. Czap, University of Michigan-DearbornFollow
Gary D. Lynne, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mark E. Burbach, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Cornhusker Economics, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, August 21, 2014

Comments

Copyright © 2014 University of Nebraska

Abstract

This article summarizes our experimental research testing the metaeconomics framework (MEF) and dual-interest theory (DIT), which suggests an im-portant and substantive role for empathy in the design of conservation policy to achieve sustaina-bility (for more detail, see http://agecon-cpanel.unl.edu/lynne/metaecon/Lynneetal2014TragedyCommons.pdf ) MEF and DIT posit that individuals are motivated by two inseparable, yet conflicting interests: self-interest and other (shared with others)-interest. This conflict gets resolved through empathy tem-pering self-interest, resulting in a balanced decision, in which neither of the interests is maximized, but we rather observe sacrifices in both inter-ests. Empathy is based on imagining the struggle of others, on “walking-in-the-shoes-of-others” and, as a result, perhaps joining in sympathy with a shared cause like conservation and sustainability.