Reciprocity and the economy of communion

• Reciprocity in economics

• Reciprocity in life

• Reciprocity in the economy of communion

Levels of reciprocity in economics

Reciprocity of contract

Reciprocity of friendship

Reciprocity without conditions

Reciprocity of contract, "Tit” for “Tat”

• I give you “tit”, you give me “tat” (condition)• If you don’t give me “tit”, I won’t give you “tat”.

I can enforce the contract (necessity of third party – independent, with authority - to enforce contract or sanctions; need of “civilization”)

• “tit” and “tat” have the same value (equivalence)

Two parties, closed relation, based on mutual self-interest.

The reciprocity if friendshipWithout friends no one would choose to live (Aristotle)

• I give you “Tit”, because you are my friend, I expect that you give me “Tat” sometime. (condition)

• If you won’t give me “Tat” in time, I will not enforce it, but you loose my friendship. (no possibility for enforcement)

• The value of “Tit” not equal to ”Tat”. The value of the persons is equal (otherwise cannot be friends)

A group of equals, intern open, closed to the outside world. Self-interest of group.

Unconditional reciprocityGratuitousness (like a smile)

• I give you “Tit” gratis, because you are my “brother” no conditionGiven or granted without return or recompense; unearnedI would be delighted if you would reciprocate in any form to me or to

others, now or later Gratuitousness is NOT PHILANTROPHY

(Gratuitousness: equality. Philanthropy: dependency)

• No Enforceability, (but it enforces itself: 100-fold)

• No equivalence

Levels of reciprocity in the Encyclical “God is Love”

(Deus Caritas Est)

Reciprocity of Eros(Reciprocity of Philia)Reciprocity of Agape

Eros, The Greek and the Bible

• Greek: Considered Eros principally as a kind of intoxication, the overpowering of reason by a “divine” madness. Fertility cults, “sacred” prostitution. (no dignity of man and woman)

• Encyclical: Eros needs to be disciplined and purified. Is a foretaste of the pinnacle of our existence. Love promises infinity, eternity. Man, is being made up of body and soul, is a united (whole) person. (dignity of man and woman)

Reciprocity of Eros, reduced to pure “sex”

• I give you this satisfaction, you give me that satisfaction (condition)

• If you won’t give me this, I won’t give you that. (possibility for enforcement)

• Value of same level (equivalence)Two persons, closed relation, based on

mutual self-interest, but …….. has to open itself for higher levels of love

(philia, agape).

Reciprocity of Philia, friendship

Mentioned, but not elaborated in the encyclical.• I give you this , because you are my friend, I expect that

you give me “that” sometime. (implicit condition)• If you won’t give me “that” in time, I will not enforce it, but

you lose my friendship. (no possibility for enforcement)

• The value of “this” not equal to ”that”. The value of the persons are equal (otherwise cannot be friends)

A group of equals, intern open, closed to the outside world. Self-interest of group or clan.

Reciprocity of Agape

• Encyclical: True Eros tends to rise in “ecstasy” towards the Divine.

• I love you and you reciprocate my love, mutual gratuitousness, mutual unconditional

• Mutual love - totally based on gratuitousness - enforces itself, becomes stronger! 100-fold.

Open community of “unequal's”, open to each other and society.

Matrimony and mutual love

• Contract and Eros

• Friendship

• Agape/communion

• 100 fold

Economy of communion