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Abstract
Might religion function as an incentive for cooperation? This article defends that religion is an incentive for cooperation from both an evolutionary perspective (based on game-theoretical models) and a philosophical perspective. Religion (defined as god-fearing behavior) can be described as evolutionary advantageous since one refrained from actions perceived as immoral and contrary to God's will. Under the assumption that god-fearing behavior is equal to cooperative behavior, god-fearing behavior is a corrective for ethical failure. However, even today religion can function as a corrective for ethical failure: religion can dissolve the contrast between morality and self-interest by promoting one's ability to see an intrinsic value in cooperative, moral behavior.