THE POWER OF ONE SENTIENT BEING: THE COMPUTER SIMULATION OF A BODHISATTVA'S ALTRUISM USING AGENT-BASED MODELLING
Authored by Yu-Hsiang Yang, Huimin Bhikshu, Rua-Huan Tsaih
Date Published: 2015
DOI: 10.1080/14639947.2015.1041676
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to demonstrate that agent-based simulation is a
scientific approach to studying the altruistic behaviours of a
Bodhisattva, who is practising Buddhism to achieve Buddhahood. From the
Buddhist perspective, the evolutionary model of Hammond and Axelrod
(2006a) describes the operation of a community in the world. The study
shows that we can simulate a Bodhisattva as a firm-and-pure-altruist
(FPA) agent, who always performs both in-group and out-group altruistic
behaviours, including the preaching of doctrine and the giving of
material objects, and who always remains an FPA agent. Based on the
model of Hammond and Axelrod (2006a), ordinary human beings are modelled
as four-type agents who evolve according to their genetic potential to
reproduce. Our results show that a Bodhisattva can create more pure
altruists in the community by sharing doctrine and material objects. The
results also show a beneficial situation because the average welfare of
all four agents increases if we consider average fitness as a measure of
welfare, according to Becker (1976).
Tags
Evolution
Computational Economics
systems
Compassion
Buddhism