Tore Ellingsen: Dutiful Behavior - A Model of Moral Sentiments

Tore Ellingsen comes from Stockholm School of Economics 

Abstract:

We develop a model of dutiful behavior. A central assumption, suggested Adam Smith, is that obligations differ from responsibilities. We formalize the distinction and operationalize it through the Krupka-Weber norm-elicitation procedure. Specifically, when an action is considered “socially inappropriate” we say that it violates an obligation; otherwise, it is more or less responsible. The model offers a parsimonious way to account for social context, and it provides explanations for a host of observations that contradict theories of other-regarding preferences that are based on empathy rather than duty.