Tuesday, February 23, 2010

On Motivation.

There are a number of things that can motivate someone into any action. Most folks would like to think they’re being selfless, and especially to be praised as such. Most of the time the motives are much less charitable.

Some people have it engraved into their minds from a young age that in helping others, you are a good person. This is very, very common. The reason seems harmless enough, and the result is usually positive for all parties. This is not selfless, the individual is still acting to be perceived as a good person. They want to come out on top without an issue. I don’t really mind these people much, they’ve really done nothing wrong.

Some people have more blatantly self-centered drives, and act only for themselves. This is also exceptionally common, though more often overlooked in the United States. If someone would help another person, it is only so that the helped may return the favor when the helper needs it. This is the backbone of many relationships, families, and even most organized religion. In some cases, these are still good people, only preservationists.

Some people are kind to others because they don’t want others to suffer. This is much less common, but perhaps the most questionable rationale. It could be perceived as selfless for the sake of ending suffering without an immediate reaction, but some would say the desire not to be surrounded by suffering is still ultimately self-serving when it’s boiled down. Obviously I dig these reasons, even if it sometimes conflicts with others.

Another group believes strictly in the relative abstracts of justice and law. These people aren’t really wrong in their thinking and actions, they’re just blinded in their anal retentive adhesion to something that might not always apply. I’m not saying to embrace beldam, but in various situations it can be in poor taste. An old man jaywalks to get to his bus on time, and a cop disciplines him for it the same as he would a young person playing chicken with an SUV. Besides the cop being an asshole, he’s enforcing the law to an absolute without any gray areas. This doesn’t make him wrong, but it does show that his convictions are stronger towards the system of organization than they are to human decency.

There is another category of people too, I call them “Confused Blenders.” They’re the most common sort of people, motivation-wise. Usually they have mixed motives, and lie about which is more dominant. If an action would help one individual, but hurt others that you don’t like, it is doubly serving. That individual can receive both praise for helping someone, and take sick satisfaction in knowing they’ve harmed others and come out the victor. This example is not for all, it can be a blend of any of the other types. Someone who believes in the law for the sake of removing suffering is just as conflicting as someone who believes in the law and acts out of selfish motives, as also to someone that wants praise while remaining empathetic. They all conflict.

Also, just because someone has a general type they will adhere to, it does not mean that they will not have actions that break these barriers and fall into others as well. A cop that would let off a shoplifter that’s stealing food to feed his children is breaking their own conviction to reduce human suffering. It’s entirely relative, and situational.

I’m sure there are others that I’ve overlooked as well. Remind me if I have. And try not to be selfish (unrelated thoughts, just in case you were confused).

No comments: