You've been waiting in line in traffic for what seems like hours, when a red sports car whips past on the shoulder. Eventually, the sports car creeps back into view--the driver has run out of shoulder and signals to be let in. Instead of giving way, you stare ahead and accelerate, inching dangerously close to the bumper in front of you. After squeezing back the intruder, you can't help but notice a smile creep onto your face. Judges worry, whereas filmmakers delight, in the fact that revenge feels good. Evolutionary theorists argue that such an "eye-for-an-eye" strategy makes sense, preventing future damage to one's self or kin . Yet, in cases ranging from inconsiderate drivers to Nazi war criminals, even unrelated onlookers seem highly motivated toseek revenge, often in spite of personal cost. From the standpoint of self-interest, punishing those who violate the interests of strangers--a form of revenge called altruistic punishment--seems irrational. Enter de Quervain and colleagues on page 1254of this issue, who offer an alternative explanation--instead of cold calculated reason, it is passion that may plant the seeds of revenge.
展开▼
