Quote:I think we can create tests to prove this assumption false through observational psychology. Create situations then record the results? What do you think?
Theoretically, I guess, ,if one can first come up with universally acceptable definitions of 'good' and 'bad'. Lots of luck with that.
On the other hand. I'm not sure it's possible to prove individual motivation empirically . We have only behaviour and self reporting to go on. We do not know thoughts or feelings.
My observation [and training] is that most people have limited self awareness,and that few can even accurately identify what they are feeling at any given moment. Most of us are either unwilling or incapable of accurately reporting our motives for a range of actions.
Altruistic actions often seem obvious. I'm unconvinced altruistic motives are at all easy to assess,or indeed that it's consistently possible to assess such motives accurately.
