Sometimes the thing that seems like zero-sum between two players actually has a third player, let’s call them “audience” or “environment”, and the payout is different when you include those. Two people trying to win a tennis match provide entertainment for the audience. Also, in short term, one of the players wins and the other one loses, but in long term, both have practiced their skills and had some healthy exercise.
Status seeking is immoral when it comes to conflict with doing the right thing. Sometimes that means cheating to appear better than you actually are. Sometimes it means generating negative externalities.
But in a healthy environment, social status can be a way to recognize and reward doing the right thing.
Sometimes the thing that seems like zero-sum between two players actually has a third player, let’s call them “audience” or “environment”, and the payout is different when you include those. Two people trying to win a tennis match provide entertainment for the audience. Also, in short term, one of the players wins and the other one loses, but in long term, both have practiced their skills and had some healthy exercise.
Status seeking is immoral when it comes to conflict with doing the right thing. Sometimes that means cheating to appear better than you actually are. Sometimes it means generating negative externalities.
But in a healthy environment, social status can be a way to recognize and reward doing the right thing.