Are all human actions unconsciously and egoistically motivated?
By Jason Stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>
Are all human actions unconsciously and egoistically motivated?
No, I don’t believe that is true, everyone is aware of his or her own actions. You may not always do what culture or society says is right but good or bad that’s what makes a person. Actions are made not by some unconscious force but what you truly feel is right. Hospers pretty much sums up the Utilitarian view by saying in essence, that our actions should be executed in a manner that makes the world a better place for all. I believe that if your actions are only done in the interest of ones self, than you consciously chose to live a selfish life. Your choice was conscious and egoistically motivated. Actions by definition are done with the intent of changing something, but you are not always conscious of the impact that your actions will have. Take for example just the opposite; a hero’s death, It has been said that a hero dies a thousand deaths and a coward dies but one. What exactly defines a hero? It certainly is not something as simple as donating money to charity, its ones selfless actions that go above and beyond the call of duty that makes a hero. A person who’s actions go outside of their living means, such as something as simple as an organ donor, why take it with you to the grave when you can keep someone else out of their grave, with your conscious but unegotistical sacrifice. A person who simply acts without thinking by putting their life on the line to save others, does so by acting on gut instinct, what they felt was right. The sacrifice made was for the good of many, not one. For example a soldier, who throws himself on a grenade to save his platoon, does so unconsciously but instinctively acts for the good of others with no thought or regards for ones self.
A good Utilitarian example of human actions that unconsciously will have a widespread effect with no regard for the greater good comes from Hospers, “such as driving while intoxicated and killing a whole family-not only would they be affected, but also their families and friends, and the friends they would have had if they had stayed alive, are all affected also”. So my answer is no, and my example is just this, you obviously sat down to read this paper consciously but ask yourself were your actions motivated by egotistical means, to submit a comment in hopes of getting yourself a good grade in this class.
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Kimberly Pitts <KLP103@hotmail>I totally agree!
Danny Frady <garydfrady@hotmail.com>I must say, your points about the title "hero" are very interesting. I totally agree with not taking things to the grave that can benifit the living.
Matt Wright <surfski8@hotmail.com>i agree
Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>Nice Work. Good use of the hero as an example!
Heather Renfro <jewel@emeraldis.com>Great Job!
nichole vernon <nichole317@excite.com>good job ! i really enjoyed your paper.
missy kergosien <missc4@hotmail.com>good paper. I agree.
cindy bourret <lucy12241979@hotmail.com>i agree
cindy bourret <lucy12241979@hotmail.com>i agree
Cynthia Glanton <cynthia_glanton@hotmail.com>Good paper.
Amanda Thompson <amandat211@yahoo.com>interesting paper. you did a great job.
Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>I agree with your view. Good paper!
Chris Graham <Collge-guy@inetgenesis.com>I agree good paper
Tally Loyd <Tally_Loyd@Hotmail.com>Great paper. I liked it.
Wendy Garner <wlg51@backroads.net>Good paper
Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>I agree with you mostly... nice paper... however, as brought up in class, should the intention be used to identify if it was egoistically done.
Comments Closed <11-28.01>Further Comments are Voluntary.
Karen <karen_long@email.com>I'm not sure if I agree with you totally, but I thought you did very well with your paper.
Crystal Gray <Your E-Mail>Good paper.
Jason Stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>I like what I see here!
Heather Ferguson <AddysmomF@netscape.net>Good Paper!
Eric Doyle Knight <frruita@hotmail.com>Good paper. I tend to agree that all actions cannot simply be unconscious or egoistic. There has got to exist some true altruism.