What single quality drives human behavior the most?

Kodos · 03-18-2005, 12:39 PM

I vote for selfishness.

Desnudo · 03-18-2005, 12:39 PM

I would say self-interest.

Arles · 03-18-2005, 12:40 PM

self-preservation

rkmsuf · 03-18-2005, 12:47 PM

hunger

Lathum · 03-18-2005, 12:55 PM

pro creation

sachmo71 · 03-18-2005, 12:59 PM

I vote love.

Hold me?

scooper · 03-18-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

hunger

Beat me to it, that's usually my driving force.

NoMyths · 03-18-2005, 01:07 PM

Desire.

sachmo71 · 03-18-2005, 01:12 PM

Free spooning at my house!

Desnudo · 03-18-2005, 01:21 PM

With your wife, or you?

korme · 03-18-2005, 01:26 PM

ambition

Huckleberry · 03-18-2005, 01:27 PM

Everything mentioned so far is based on the basic instincts of self-preservation and reproduction.

That's all there is.

Well, that and competition so I can taunt you.

sachmo71 · 03-18-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

With your wife, or you?

Me, hopefully.

NoMyths · 03-18-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

Everything mentioned so far is based on the basic instincts of self-preservation and reproduction.

That's all there is.

Not exactly. Your argument is a sociobiological one, and while desire certaintly ties into those, desire can work against both of them as well (and frequently does take people out of the world because of them).

Klinglerware · 03-18-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Hold me?

Only for a scooby snack...

Huckleberry · 03-18-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMyths

Not exactly. Your argument is a sociobiological one, and while desire certaintly ties into those, desire can work against both of them as well (and frequently does take people out of the world because of them).

Desire is too broad a word to be considered a serious answer to this question. Clearly desire is what drives every single behavior ever shown and every single act ever performed.

I desire to type this post. Soon I will desire to click on the Submit Reply button. You will then desire to read the post.

tategter · 03-18-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

Desire is too broad a word to be considered a serious answer to this question. Clearly desire is what drives every single behavior ever shown and every single act ever performed.

I desire to type this post. Soon I will desire to click on the Submit Reply button. You will then desire to read the post.

I didn't desire to reply to this post. The devil made me do it.

Raven · 03-18-2005, 01:47 PM

cartman · 03-18-2005, 02:04 PM

to pop bubble wrap

Greyroofoo · 03-18-2005, 02:05 PM

your mom

AENeuman · 03-18-2005, 02:17 PM

Gotta go with my man Schopenhauer's Will of sexual desire, "as a nonrational force driving the ultimately meaningless struggle for existence. Even if we were able to satisfy all of the Will's demands, we would still be unhappy; for, everything ends in disillusion and, ultimately, in death."

in other words, "might like you better if we slept together"

NoMyths · 03-18-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

Desire is too broad a word to be considered a serious answer to this question. Clearly desire is what drives every single behavior ever shown and every single act ever performed.

Of course it is (incredibly broad and thus shows how clearly it drives every single behavior). Any smaller category is still superceded by desire. It's why so many religions and philosophies of happiness focus on ways of eliminating desire.

Blackadar · 03-18-2005, 03:39 PM

Interesting that no one has said God yet...

Ben E Lou · 03-18-2005, 03:47 PM

Arles · 03-18-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Interesting that no one has said God yet...

I don't think most religious people feel that God "drives human behavior". I think the "gift" of free-will is viewed by many Christians as one of God's great gifts.

Ben E Lou · 03-18-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arles

I don't think most religious people feel that God "drives human behavior". I think the "gift" of free-will is viewed by many Christians as one of God's great gifts.

Yup.

FWIW, I get the strong impression from things he's told us that Blacky married into a family of modern-day Pharisees.

Blackadar · 03-18-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Yup.

FWIW, I get the strong impression from things he's told us that Blacky married into a family of modern-day Pharisees.

Ya, they're called Southern Baptists.

wishbone · 03-18-2005, 04:13 PM

After working at various helpdesks for 8+ years, I can say that stupidity drives all human activity.

The question to the answer of life is "what happens if I do this?". The answer varies

Cap Ologist · 03-18-2005, 04:23 PM

The pursuit of pleasure/happiness is the motivating force behind every human behavior.

Blackadar · 03-18-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishbone

After working at various helpdesks for 8+ years, I can say that stupidity drives all human activity.

Press any key to continue....

"Which one is the any key?"

Mac Howard · 03-18-2005, 10:51 PM

self esteem (usually lack of) !

Sex is merely the area where this is at it's most vulnerable

Abe Sargent · 03-18-2005, 11:18 PM

Pride.

-Anxiety

Flasch186 · 03-18-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Howard

self esteem (usually lack of) !

Sex is merely the area where this is at it's most vulnerable

couldnt agree more, Self esteem effects every single thing we say, think, and do.

Passacaglia · 03-19-2005, 07:54 AM

You people are fools!! Don't you see that Kodos is only asking this so he and Kang can take over the world??

Karim · 03-19-2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Howard

self esteem (usually lack of) !

Sex is merely the area where this is at it's most vulnerable

I agree. Look at anyone who's attempted suicide. The will to do anything is gone because he/she feels so badly about themselves that life itself is not worth living. Eating, friends, relationships, sex, amibtion, survival etc., are non-issues when one doesn't see any point.

Buccaneer · 03-19-2005, 05:49 PM

Self, as been mentioned.

QuikSand · 03-19-2005, 05:50 PM

Fear.

Buccaneer · 03-19-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Ya, they're called Southern Baptists.

Actually, that's pretty close. The Pharisees were a self-righteous, legalistic lot that would condemn anyone not following their rules. To them, it was a persona of power and authority. Jesus probably said more bad things about them than any other topic for God's ways cannot be put in a little box and placed in the hands of a few.

Senator · 03-19-2005, 06:30 PM

Yes. Fear.

Buccaneer · 03-19-2005, 08:46 PM

Wouldn't Fear be a by-product of self? I mean, if one is not self aware, would one then fear?

JonInMiddleGA · 03-19-2005, 11:30 PM

The desire to avoid punishment/negative consequences.

(Interesting that you posted this question, because my answer has been the subject of a couple of dozen conversations I've had in the past month or so).

QuikSand · 03-19-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Wouldn't Fear be a by-product of self? I mean, if one is not self aware, would one then fear?

I think that is expanding the argument for "self" a bit much. If anything and everything accomplished by a sentient being traces back to his self-awareeness, then the answer of "self" becomes just a pointless tautology.

I think the clearer understaindg of the argument for "self" is that it's really "self-interest" or "self-promotion," that people do things in the pursuit of happiness, comfort, pleasure, or benefit to themselves.

The contrary, essentially negativist view, is that much (even most) of what people do is done in the pursuit of avoiding negative consequences - avoiding punishment, pain, embarassment, discomfort, and strains. In a word (used rather broadly), fear.

These are admittedly two sides of the same coin... but suggest fairly different things about the human psyche.

Desnudo · 03-20-2005, 03:16 AM

Don't both views represent self-interest though? Either positive or negative.

03-18-2005, 12:40 PM	#3
Arles Grey Dog Software Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Phoenix, AZ by way of Belleville, IL	self-preservation __________________ Developer of Bowl Bound College Football http://www.greydogsoftware.com

03-18-2005, 12:47 PM	#4
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	hunger __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

03-18-2005, 01:27 PM	#12
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	Everything mentioned so far is based on the basic instincts of self-preservation and reproduction. That's all there is. Well, that and competition so I can taunt you. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

03-18-2005, 02:04 PM	#19
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	to pop bubble wrap __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

03-18-2005, 03:47 PM	#24
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	self __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

03-18-2005, 12:39 PM	#2
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	I would say self-interest.

03-18-2005, 12:55 PM	#5
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	pro creation

03-18-2005, 12:59 PM	#6
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	I vote love. Hold me?

03-18-2005, 01:07 PM	#8
NoMyths Poet in Residence Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charleston, SC	Desire.

03-18-2005, 01:12 PM	#9
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	Free spooning at my house!

03-18-2005, 01:21 PM	#10
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	With your wife, or you?

03-18-2005, 01:26 PM	#11
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	ambition

03-18-2005, 01:47 PM	#18
Raven College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Baltimore, MD	sex

03-18-2005, 02:05 PM	#20
Greyroofoo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alabama	your mom

03-18-2005, 02:17 PM	#21
AENeuman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SF	Gotta go with my man Schopenhauer's Will of sexual desire, "as a nonrational force driving the ultimately meaningless struggle for existence. Even if we were able to satisfy all of the Will's demands, we would still be unhappy; for, everything ends in disillusion and, ultimately, in death." in other words, "might like you better if we slept together"

03-18-2005, 03:39 PM	#23
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	Interesting that no one has said God yet...

03-18-2005, 04:13 PM	#28
wishbone High School JV Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hillsboro OR	After working at various helpdesks for 8+ years, I can say that stupidity drives all human activity. The question to the answer of life is "what happens if I do this?". The answer varies

03-18-2005, 04:23 PM	#29
Cap Ologist College Prospect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Flower Mound, TX	The pursuit of pleasure/happiness is the motivating force behind every human behavior.

03-18-2005, 10:51 PM	#31
Mac Howard Sick as a Parrot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Surfers Paradise, Australia	self esteem (usually lack of) ! Sex is merely the area where this is at it's most vulnerable __________________ Mac Howard - a Pom in Paradise

03-18-2005, 11:18 PM	#32
Abe Sargent Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Catonsville, MD	Pride. -Anxiety __________________ Check out my two current weekly Magic columns! https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/?action=search&page=1&author[]=Abe%20Sargent

03-19-2005, 07:54 AM	#34
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	You people are fools!! Don't you see that Kodos is only asking this so he and Kang can take over the world??

03-19-2005, 05:49 PM	#36
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	Self, as been mentioned.

03-19-2005, 05:50 PM	#37
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Fear.

03-19-2005, 06:30 PM	#39
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	Yes. Fear. __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

03-19-2005, 08:46 PM	#40
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	Wouldn't Fear be a by-product of self? I mean, if one is not self aware, would one then fear?

03-19-2005, 11:30 PM	#41
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	The desire to avoid punishment/negative consequences. (Interesting that you posted this question, because my answer has been the subject of a couple of dozen conversations I've had in the past month or so). __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis Last edited by JonInMiddleGA : 03-19-2005 at 11:30 PM.

03-20-2005, 03:16 AM	#43
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	Don't both views represent self-interest though? Either positive or negative.

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