'Thou shalt not covet ...': prohibitions, temptation and moral values

Arbeitspapier

We propose a theory studying temptation in presence of both externally and internally sanctioned prohibitions. Moral values that (internally) sanction prohibited actions and their desire may increase utility by reducing self-control costs, thereby serving as partial commitment devices. We apply the model to crime and study the conditions under which agents would optimally adhere to moral values of honesty. Incentives to be moral are non- monotonic in the crime premium. Larger external punishments increase temptation and demand for morality, so that external and internal sanctions are complements. The model helps rationalizing stylized facts that proved difficult to explain with available theories.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Nota di Lavoro ; No. 2010,54

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law ; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
• Subject: Prohibitions ; Temptation ; Self-Control ; Moral Values ; Crime

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Cervellati, Matteo ; Vanin, Paolo
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)
• (where): Milano
• (when): 2010

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/43512
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET