Your Opinion: Pondering unexamined motives

Dear Editor:

Someone once said that if all economists were laid end-to-end they never would reach a conclusion. Why is that?

Certainly they all know how the market works, so the main difference would appear to be that they have different goals.

For example, "pure" communism and capitalism have polar-opposite goals.

Communism rests on the idea that everyone will be willing to produce according to their ability and then distribute products equally. The goal is to meet everyone's needs.

Capitalism rests on the idea that everyone is free to keep whatever they produce and use it for their own wants. Based on the evolutionary theory of "survival of the fittest" those who cannot meet their own needs are expendable (a drag on society.) The goal is to reward those who can embrace their own well-being and society as well.

However, no "pure" systems exist. In reality governments impose choices, as do monopolies (unless controlled by laws.)

I use this example to illustrate the importance of identifying goals whether they be mine, yours, politicians, office holders, or anyone else when declaring what "good" choices should be made or "bad" ones changed.

Unfortunately, knowing the goals is just the first stop. Behind every goal is a motive. If possible I need to know the real reason ("why?") behind what I say I believe in.

Ferreting out my motives is very difficult. It is even harder to discover the motives of others when sometimes they do not know why they believe what they say.

A personal example: Once while I was sitting in my car with turn signal flashing waiting to pull into a parking space, a car coming from the other direction took the space I was waiting for. I got out of my car, took my coins, put them in her meter, and wished her a good day. Onlookers may have thought I was a kind, forgiving person. But I know that I hoped she would feel bad and have a bad day. What I said to her was untrue.

My experience is that most beliefs are founded on unexamined motives.

Religious behavior can be motivated by genuine love for others or by fear of punishment - there is a vast difference.

So what goal and motive prompted me to write this letter? I am only allowed 400 words, so I'll get back to you when I figure it out.