What Motivates You To Do "Good"?

Post by **_Moniker** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:03 pm

I'm not going to define good/morality for others, yet, will mention that, for me, in it's simplest form, it is attempting to not hurt others, essentially, and helping others when I have the ability to do so. Of course it's not always so simple, yet, let's pretend it is for a moment. :)

Do you have a somewhat different definition of doing or being good/moral?

I have self interest in being a moral person even when my actions may appear to be not from self interest, they really are in the overall scheme of things -- I recognize that my actions create my character, that I strive for peaceful relationships and this requires giving, at times, more than receiving, that helping others just really is very satisfying, to me, that living about others that are peaceful and happy makes my life peaceful and happy, that there are certain individuals that I have emotionally bonded with that I would sacrifice for (yet, my self interest in their good is being met by sacrifice) and that this world and life is fleeting and I must choose my actions carefully for there are no redos, no saving graces.

I have self interest in my good deeds and works. Is there something wrong with that? I hear often that atheists only take actions because of self interest. I do yet, my self interest is met even when I'm being compassionate, charitable, loving, etc...

Of course there is another aspect that is the social pressures, how we've evolved to be social creatures, and how culture transmits mores to all... yet, I'm interested in the theists personal motivation (as they see it) to be good and how this may differ from atheists or how similar they may be.

So, what's your motivation?

_GoodK · Post by **_GoodK** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:00 pm

Well said, Moniker. I don't want to be liar, thief, drunk, cheater, louse, hoodlum, etc.. for my own selfish reasons. Being a good person makes me feel good. I'm totally selfish about it. I also think what goes around, generally comes around. I don't think being "good" for selfish reasons is worse than being "good" because some pie in the sky fairy tale tells you to.

Post by **_The Nehor** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:03 pm

Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

Post by **_Jersey Girl** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:06 pm

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by doing "good". I'm going to take it to mean extending oneself for whatever reasons.

What motivates me? It is that moment when I come to the realization that the adult or child no longer needs help.

Post by **_Moniker** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:09 pm

The Nehor wrote:Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

How do you know when someone loves others more than themselves? Dying for another person? If you love someone then by sacrificing for them it's in your self interest to protect them....

Post by **_The Nehor** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:11 pm

Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

How do you know when someone loves others more than themselves? Dying for another person? If you love someone then by sacrificing for them it's in your self interest to protect them....

How does your dying to protect someone benefit you?

Post by **_RockHeaded** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:11 pm

Mine is because I want people to like me :o) I am worried everyone hates me :o( so I go out of my way to accomodate everyone around me. I want everyone to be happy all the time and I figure the more good I do the more chance will be everyone will be happy, this makes me happy.

Post by **_Moniker** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:14 pm

The Nehor wrote:
Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

How do you know when someone loves others more than themselves? Dying for another person? If you love someone then by sacrificing for them it's in your self interest to protect them....

How does your dying to protect someone benefit you?

If I died for one of my children (and I would) then it's my self interest that my children carry on with their lives that would be in effect. When I sacrifice monetarily it's my self interest that others have a life without need.. these are things I desire for others, and so when I take steps toward protecting others or ensuring others have their needs met I'm meeting my own desires.

Post by **_The Nehor** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:20 pm

Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

How do you know when someone loves others more than themselves? Dying for another person? If you love someone then by sacrificing for them it's in your self interest to protect them....

How does your dying to protect someone benefit you?

If I died for one of my children (and I would) then it's my self interest that my children carry on with their lives that would be in effect. When I sacrifice monetarily it's my self interest that others have a life without need.. these are things I desire for others, and so when I take steps toward protecting others or ensuring others have their needs met I'm meeting my own desires.

I think this is an incredibly broad definition of the word self-interest.

Post by **_Moniker** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:26 pm

The Nehor wrote:
Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
Moniker wrote:
The Nehor wrote:Self-interest can lead to morality but it doesn't lead to where theists, those who love others more then themselves, and those who see a higher purpose go. That way lies martydom and sacrifices that can in no way be construed as self-interest.

How do you know when someone loves others more than themselves? Dying for another person? If you love someone then by sacrificing for them it's in your self interest to protect them....

How does your dying to protect someone benefit you?

If I died for one of my children (and I would) then it's my self interest that my children carry on with their lives that would be in effect. When I sacrifice monetarily it's my self interest that others have a life without need.. these are things I desire for others, and so when I take steps toward protecting others or ensuring others have their needs met I'm meeting my own desires.

I think this is an incredibly broad definition of the word self-interest.

I don't think so.

You asked this question:

How does your dying to protect someone benefit you?

Can you really not see how others die for causes, their families, their children, their countries, etc... and how they are doing it for their own purposes? It doesn't take away the sacrifice of the act, yet, what is their MOTIVATION?