Journal of Economic Psychology
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 1992, Pages 509-514
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doi:10.1016/0167-4870(92)90008-U | How to Cite or Link Using DOI |
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Why and when to love your enemy
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Friedel Bolle*
University of Köln, Köln, Germany
Received 21 August 1991;
accepted 26 June 1992.
Available online 5 March 2002.
Abstract
The economic theory of altruism assumes that our utility depends on the utility of other people. A positive dependency can be called love, a negative dependency can be called hate. If we assume that, up to a certain degree, we are able to influence our feelings, then a ‘Christian rule’ is implied. When I am confronted with a powerful enemy, i.e. a person who hates me, then I may be well advised to love this enemy.
The masochist begs the sadist: ‘Torture me!’ ‘No!’ says the sadist.
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