Another paper by Axelrod. In this one he summarizes the data and observations from his tournament for the Prisoner's Dilemma. TIT FOR TAT wins handedly. In essence, it is a very forgiving strategy and will reward quickly when the other party cooperates but will still punish the other it they first punish. I got me thinking about God's mercy and willingness to forgive. I suppose He is even more forgiving than this strategy, in that he will, like TFT, forgive as soon as possible, and as soon as we repent and turn to him (cooperate) but even above that, He will cooperate even when we defect at times! However, his "punishment" if one can call that is probably a withholding of blessings and not really a penalty or sorts. It is likely deferred anyway, so as to give as much time as possible for us to correct our ways. But, perhaps, sin is its own punishment in many regards and in some circumstances. Although, likely sin also keeps us from blessings of having the spirit and thus that form of punishment is also likely evident.
Anyway, the interesting thing is that the author actually models this unbalanced forgiveness strategy, similar to what God may be like. It only defects (punishes) after two defections from the other actor. Likely, God will take even more "defections" before he retaliates, but He also won't stand idly by and let us continue in wickedness forever. Clearly, there have been punishments meted out to certain groups or individuals who are wicked.
The reference:
Effective Choice in the Prisoner's Dilemma
Robert Axelrod
The Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Mar., 1980), pp. 3-25
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