Web sites like Napster demonstrate that the pursuit of self-interest can lead to a collective disaster when one or more people start to profit from being unethical because this encourages other people to act in the same way. This exemplifies a situation known as the _____.
A) "race to the bottom"
B) "tragedy of the commons"
C) "prisoner's dilemma"
D) "war of attrition"
E) "the market for lemons"

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The situation described in the question is known as the "tragedy of the commons," which refers to a situation where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, consume a shared resource (in this case, music) without regard for the well-being of the group as a whole. This behavior can lead to the depletion of the resource, in this case, the music industry, and a collective disaster. In other words, when individuals prioritize their own interests over the greater good of the group, it can lead to a tragedy for everyone involved.

Web Sites Like Napster Demonstrate That the Pursuit of Self-Interest