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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Thermodynamics of Cooperation: Cooperative Equilibrium

Authors: Lostracco, Keith;

Thermodynamics of Cooperation: Cooperative Equilibrium

Abstract

We prove that in a repeated multi-agent game with energy-denominated payoffs derived from thermodynamic first principles, universal cooperation is the unique Nash equilibrium that simultaneously satisfies Pareto efficiency and welfare maximization. The payoff matrix is not stipulated but constructed from physical parameters (resource energy, friction multipliers, exploitation efficiency, and repair costs), yielding a Prisoner's Dilemma in which mutual defection is net-negative ($P < 0$) rather than merely suboptimal. This structural property drives the cooperation threshold to $\delta^* = 0.363$, substantially below the canonical $0.5$. We prove that defection is evolutionarily unstable, self-extinguishing in friction-coupled networks, and unprofitable even from a single deviation when network effects are included. The friction state variable, encoding the cumulative memory of past violations, enters payoffs endogenously, making punishment self-reinforcing without external enforcement. We explicitly characterize the relationship between these results and established repeated-game theory: the known machinery is the Folk Theorem and ESS analysis; the novel content is the derived payoff matrix, structurally negative mutual defection, equilibrium selection, and endogenous persistent friction.

Keywords

evolutionary stability, cooperative equilibrium, Folk theorem, energy-denominated payoffs, Nash equilibrium, repeated games

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green