Master Class [145]: Motivation for Ethical Behavior
What motivation for ethical behavior do we have? There are many people who selflessly do good deeds and feel better for doing so, not worse. This gives us a selfless motivation that contradicts the theory of utility maximization, or the concept of homo economicus.
The fact that selfless, or even self-sacrificing, acts exist shows that such an ethic is not unrealistic. Volunteer work and individuals like Mother Theresa are clear examples. This behavior can be explained by a more general theory of maximizing happiness, which is behind theories like the Happiness Theory from Bentham and Mill.
Many people are generally good, which is to say they have an ethical disposition. Selfless acts generally garner prestige in a society, presenting another motivation for ethical behavior. Both motivations are bases for behavior relevant to the satisfaction of a person’s basic needs, according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Beyond maximizing one’s advantage,