We are all motivated by that which we find personally beneficial on some level. And that determination is based on our values: that which we consider important in life. The more far-reaching and constructive our values, the more beneficial to both ourselves and those around us will tend to be our actions in pursuit of such. Whereas, the more short-term our values and the more inclined toward goals of immediate gratifications and desires, the more disrespectful and harmful to others and... a bit ironically... ultimately to ourselves, as well, will be our actions in the pursuit of such.
And it seems to me that the more we view life as without ultimate purpose and without the need to truly value such or that of others, the more understandably short-term our values will be, the more geared to instant gratification of desires and whims... thus resulting in more self-centered and narcissistic actions.
The ultimate example of this is ... the sociopath (psychopath). This personality sees only his own immediate wants as the end all and be all not only of his own existence but that of everyone else's, as well. He wants... therefore, everyone else must provide and satisfy any such wants. And, given this value system, any crime, any injustice, any deception, any destruction that might result from his headlong quest to aquire that goal based on such values is fully justified. Such a mindset ultimately results in the self-destruction of the person, himself, after all the destruction caused to others in the process. Thus, the long-term destruction of the sociopath that results from such short-sighted values is as predictable and as tragic as someone jumping off a high cliff so's to enjoy the instant short-term gratification of freefall. In both cases... neither considered hard enough the long-term consequences of their actions.
On the other hand, for the individual whose realizes that life does have ultimate purpose and has cultivated higher farther-reaching values pursued in the fulfillment of that purpose, such values motivate that individual toward actions that inspire growth and benefit not only him/herself but also either directly or indirectly benefit those around them, as well.
One of any number of examples of this would be the person who studies hard, puts him or herself through years of disciplined schooling and sacrifice to attain a high academic degree and then applies those years of study toward a field of endeavor that results in discoveries that benefit themselves, personally, as well as their fellow beings.
Another example would be those who seek deeper understandings of themselves and their purpose in life by serving others in any of a number of careers or disciplines toward that purpose... thereby developing within their own emotional and spiritual potentials that, in turn, greatly benefit their own lives and fulfillment while and as they also help to benefit others in the process. Examples of this would be, at least I would think, such persons as: homemakers (e.g., full-time parent), legit clergy or similar religious pursuits, caregivers, teachers, nursing and related fields, etc.
Thus the issue of acts that demonstrate base selfishness vs. those that are more altruistic is understood best by first identifying the foundational values upon which all such actions are based.
And, in my view at least, values that motivate toward the greater long-reaching and farther-seeing goals in life and that, thus, truly benefit both the individual and the community as a whole... are always those that presuppose PURPOSE IN LIFE AS PREPARATORY TOWARD CONTINUATION AND PROGRESSION BEYOND IT.
(To my view... this foundational principle of Human motivations and behavior is one of the stronger philosophical evidences of Life after death.)
- Upir'
