“How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortunes of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”
Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759, p.47)
Introduction
A million little incidents happen every day when people make choices that are not in their interest-for the sake of family, friends or even complete strangers. Be it in the drudgery of everyday life or in the face of mortal danger, humankind bands together instead of tearing apart. Economic theory treats economic gain as the primary human motive (1), but such unselfish behaviour is widespread and the norm- millions of units…