The Problem of Cooperation and Homo Duplex

Abstract

Humans are homo duplex—they are both individual and social—and they struggle with the coexistence and/or integration of these two sides to their human nature. Given this, what encourages cooperation among strangers? Our claim is that religion is the most effective method of facilitating human cooperation and that megachurches are particularly successful at doing so. Megachurches provide attendees with rituals and opportunities to discipline and increase self-control, selfless behavior, and cooperation. At the same time, they focus on the other side of homo duplex—the need to exert the ego—which is evident in how they lift the individual and nurture each person’s gifts and talents.