In a cooperative game scenario, how does a Nash Equilibrium differ from the optimal strategy for participants working together?

In a cooperative game scenario, a Nash Equilibrium occurs when each player chooses their strategy based on the other players' choices, and no one can benefit by changing their strategy while others keep theirs the same. This means that each player is making the best decision they can, considering what everyone else is doing, but it doesn't necessarily lead to the best overall outcome for the group. For example, imagine two friends trying to decide whether to work together on a project or divide the work; if they both choose to work separately because they think it’s safer, they may end up with lower grades than if they had cooperated fully. In contrast, the optimal strategy for them would be to share the work, which could lead to a better result for both. Therefore, while a Nash Equilibrium can be stable, it might not be the best choice for everyone involved when cooperation is possible.