Issue 1

There are essentially two forces that motivate people: self-interest and fear.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your position with reasons and/or examples from your experience, observation, or reading.


Views differ greatly when it comes to the issue of whether there are essentially two forces which are self-interest and fear that motivate people. While some people consider that everyone is selfish, others hold the view that people have good side. My personal experience and actual observations of life have led me to strongly maintain that self-interest and fear are essentially to forces that motivate people.

First of all, economist has said that everyone is self-interest, and it can make economy have optimal situation. Although people might think that the man who is selfish is not popular, they do not actually know what their daily life is full of selfish behaviors. Even the easier thing in daily life like buying, no one wants to buy expensive thing if it can be got cheaper one. Someone might say that there are still lots of people who donate their fortune and do not get gain any reward. At first glance, it seems that these people do not want get any repay, but after deeply though it can be found that they are still the selfish people. For example, lots of corporations contribute fund to build the hospital. It seems that they really want to contribute to their country. However, more money they donate, more reduction of tax they can get. Furthermore, administering a hospital is also a way to make money.

In addition, people are not only motivated by self-interest but also by fear. It is instinctive for people to avoid any dangerous situation or hazard. Even infant knows that using crying to express fear and avoid it. Furthermore, people fear beast so that they build the house. People fear hungry so that they cultivate rice. In society with legal system, the reason why people legislate against violent is a good example to demonstrate that people are motivated by fear.

In summary, on the basis of the reasons presented above, I must wholeheartedly agree that self-interest and fear are essentially to forces that motivate people. We can say that the best reason to explain every human does is self-interest and fear.