If B, C, D, and E throw A overboard then C, D, and E are in a position to throw B overboard and any argument B, C, D, and E can come up with for throwing A overboard is just as strong an argument as C, D, and E can come up with for throwing B overboard. In fact, with fewer pirates an even split would be even more advantageous to C, D, and E. So B will always vote for A’s split out of self-preservation. If C throws A overboard he will end up in the same situation as B was originally; needing to support the highest ranking pirate to avoid being the next one up for going overboard. Since the second in command will always vote for the first in command out of self preservation he or she will accept a split with zero coins for themselves. Therefore A only has to offer C 1 coin to get C’s vote. A, B, and C’s majority rules.
In real life I imagine the pirate who is best at up-to-5-way fights is left with 100 coins. If the other pirates were truly rational then they would never have boarded a pirate ship with a pirate who is better at an up-to-5-way fight than them.
If the other pirates were truly rational then they would never have boarded a pirate ship with a pirate who is better at an up-to-5-way fight than them.
When someone asks me how I would get out of a particularly sticky situation, I often fight the urge to glibly respond, by not getting it to said situation.
I digress, if the other pirates were truly rational then they would never let anyone know how good they were at an up-to-X-way fight.
By extension, should truly rational entities never let anyone know how rational they are?
No, they should sometimes not let people know that. Sometimes it is an advantage—either by allowing cooperation that would not otherwise have been possible or demonstrating superior power and so allow options for dominance.
In real life I imagine the pirate who is best at up-to-5-way fights is left with 100 coins.
I doubt it. Humans almost never just have an all in winner takes all fight. The most charismatic pirate will end up with the greatest share, while the others end up with lesser shares depending on what it takes for the leader to maintain alliances. (Estimated and observed physical prowess is one component of said charisma in the circumstance).
If B, C, D, and E throw A overboard then C, D, and E are in a position to throw B overboard and any argument B, C, D, and E can come up with for throwing A overboard is just as strong an argument as C, D, and E can come up with for throwing B overboard. In fact, with fewer pirates an even split would be even more advantageous to C, D, and E. So B will always vote for A’s split out of self-preservation. If C throws A overboard he will end up in the same situation as B was originally; needing to support the highest ranking pirate to avoid being the next one up for going overboard. Since the second in command will always vote for the first in command out of self preservation he or she will accept a split with zero coins for themselves. Therefore A only has to offer C 1 coin to get C’s vote. A, B, and C’s majority rules.
In real life I imagine the pirate who is best at up-to-5-way fights is left with 100 coins. If the other pirates were truly rational then they would never have boarded a pirate ship with a pirate who is better at an up-to-5-way fight than them.
When someone asks me how I would get out of a particularly sticky situation, I often fight the urge to glibly respond, by not getting it to said situation.
I digress, if the other pirates were truly rational then they would never let anyone know how good they were at an up-to-X-way fight.
By extension, should truly rational entities never let anyone know how rational they are?
No, they should sometimes not let people know that. Sometimes it is an advantage—either by allowing cooperation that would not otherwise have been possible or demonstrating superior power and so allow options for dominance.
I doubt it. Humans almost never just have an all in winner takes all fight. The most charismatic pirate will end up with the greatest share, while the others end up with lesser shares depending on what it takes for the leader to maintain alliances. (Estimated and observed physical prowess is one component of said charisma in the circumstance).