¶ … two forces that motivate people: Self-interest and fear. agree with the statement that there are essentially two forces that motivate people: self-interest and fear. There are many actions and activities that people perform that on the first glance appear to be for other reasons than self-interest or fear. However, if one peels off the top layer and examines the underpinnings one will see that it still goes back to self-interest or fear as the foundational motivators.
When I first pondered this question I thought about the people I know who do volunteer work and the people who have children. Volunteer work is something that seems to be altruistic in nature and one will readily do anything for their children. Each of these examples initially appear to be for the benefit of others and would discount the belief that self-interest or fear drive mankind. But once the examples are explored the truth is exposed.
People who do volunteer work choose a variety of avenues to work in. Some may work at a homeless shelter, while others may decide to work at animal shelters. There are many different areas that one can volunteer their time and skills to. When one volunteers however, and is asked why they do it, they will admit it is to make the world a better place. Making the world a better place to live is actually something that is founded in self-interest. We want to live in a world that is in peak form. We want our little corner of the world to be the best that it can be. When we perform volunteer services in any venue at all the bottom line is we do it to improve the world that WE live in and that is self-interest. In addition we do it to feel better about ourselves because we are giving to the world.
When one says that they would do anything for their child they are sincere. The love of a parent to a child is something that cannot be compared to any other love and the desire to protect and raise the child with love is strong. But even when one will do anything for their child it is out of the love that they feel for the child they speak. This means that the foundation is still self-interest. It is because they love their child so much that they want to protect them. It is the self-interest that they have as a parent for the living thing that they have created that cause them to what they do for the child.
You’re 77% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.