Yunjin+Kim

There are several theories on motivation. They range from biological/instinctive, to drives and incentives, to arousal, and to humanistic hierarchies. But why do some people - a lot of people really - seek to do good. Consider the following website to get an idea of what motivates people to become altruistic http://www.humantruth.info/altruism.html. As you read through the entire site consider the following questions. Consider the reading in light of the questions and write your reaction to it on your wiki. The questions are only a guide.
 * //Altruism is the selfless helping of others.//**
 * 1. Are we, as some might say, motivated by a desire to save our off-spring?**

Many psychologist and philosophers mention that selfless acts are actually egocentric. According to the prominent psychologist Richard Gross, " Is the dominant ethos in social science.", which triggers the fact that we hide our true actions for our own intentions and needs. Even though we seem innocent and the behavior that we are pursuing looks naive, we all have some sort of factors to act "selfless". Most people has a secret desire to be shown publicly while they perform their deeds. But doesn't necessarily mean that getting rewards would always make them feel good. For example, they could do pleasing actions in order to gain their personal pride and Neurochemical rewards( the feel-gdod factor), or if they want power over people.
 * 2. Must there always be some sort of intrinsic reward for doing good?**

I would definitely be attempted to please what ever I want to do when no one is present. If I decided to ignore the old lady across the street, I will feel bad later on not helping her. But if I decided to help the old lady, I'll feel good for a while. I agree that I am selfish and egocentric sometimes. I do actions that tend to make me feel good and give self-esteem. It's a great satisfaction and pleasure to be seen "good". to people.
 * 3. Mr. Otis once said, "That having integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching." If this is so, and no one knows when we have done good, would you still do good?**

Honestly, I want to deny this fact, but it's true. What else can we say? There are people who do goods for the sake of others but wouldn't they also feel good and proud about themselves later on? This concept might look greedy, but the point is this "selfish gene" helps us make a better world. Would you rather live in a society where everyone was hasty and disgraceful to each other? Or a society that disguises their selfishness but intents righteous acts upon people? This whole altruism is both beneficial for others and ourselves. We want to act good and get treated good.
 * 4. "Delayed reciprocal altruism", seems like a gamble - back to game theory, any way. Does this seem to make sense to you. That is that we act out of a desire to have what we have done being done to us?**

I think there is no answer to this question. We can assume one's act by their behavior, but we do not have the ability to look through their mind and decide whether they are doing it for their own good or not. But apparently many philosophers and psychologists concludes to theorize that we live in a "universal egoism", where people disguise their selfishness in order to look "good". Altruism is everywhere, but at the same time only an illusion. It's just a act covered with a veil.
 * 5. Are we ever being truly "selfless" when committing an act of altruism?**