Why is it that most people claim to follow good morals and ethics, but in reality, tend to only act in self interest, at the detriment of others?

[Agape93]

[Losalt]

Usually they're not aware of it themselves I believe.
People are fundamentally good in my experience.
But they're also often blind to other people and their experiences...
They're caught up in their own feelings and thoughts and demons and yes, drives too.
As a mod you see a lot of the worst out there, but honestly even then most of them most likely aren't bad people.
They're probably not even trying to be selfish, even if they might be there and then...

And no one thinks of themselves as bad people.
Others do because we see the harm they do but not their point of view that often include their life lies etc...

[worldscolide]

I personally believe in enlightened self interest.. Objectivism for short. That does not mean I have self interest above all else. But it does mean I put my self and my family and friends before everyone else. If you read any of the works by Ayn Rand, those explain it better. It does have a moral code similar to "do no harm, or harm none" unless of course it's in defense of your self or your family, because a greater crime than the loss of life, is allowing your self or your family to die in favor of an attacker. Meaning it's worse to let family or friends die to an attacker than it is to kill the attacker.

[mandyfire98]

I think it's because in all of us is that ultimate need to survive. It's been in our species from day one. Being self centered mentally was what we needed long ago to survive. That's why it's so strong in humans. Now that we have society we don't need to be self centered anymore but it's still baked into our DNA. Some people can fight this and choose to not focus mainly on themselves, others can't. Some go completely the other way and mentally suffer from narcissistic personality disorder. It's come down to the two wolves scenario. Which one do you feed more?

[FreyaRed]

Usual hypocrisy of most god believers. Catholics make a confession when they commit a sin and then it's everything okay for them again. Muslims are completely bipolar, "Islam is religion of peace and jihad is the rightful way to gain benevolence of Allah."...

[lightbulb27]

because we are still human and have fear of suffering and death. Requires being really grounded beyond this world, with consistent practice, to respond consistently focusing on others.

I try and failed few times this year, sometimes try and succeed. I'm not doing it right, most of us aren't. The way my wife grew up is more right, and the way I grew up.

Wealth, creates greater problems...

[lightbulb27]

This was one of my hangups to accepting religious people... seeing how plastic and fake they were. I started with TV evangelists. It's a barrier to overcome in ones view of people. It's not that hard to solve, but you have to have the motivation and want to.
Friends of mine, their whole family, spends all their efforts on missionary work to help disadvantaged children. The pull resources from those they know, run a foundation, and spread the love of Christ. That said, they live in the lap of luxury to an extent. Few of us are walking around like Jesus, living on a borrowed bed, eating what we can scrounge, and preaching the word of goodness. But some are.
Finding examples in humans of goodness... is work.

[Anpu23]

No one can truly work in any way other than the best for themselves. Seriously, even altruism is ultimately centered in selfishness. So people who think that they are good, most always see themselves as the hero, and yes sometimes the hero must conquer the villain. But that villain also sees themselves as the hero... so it gets sticky.

[Finchie40]

Because most people in general are selfish people that only really Care about themselves and what is best for them , most people
Do not know how to remove selfishness for other’s and then they wonder why they can’t last in a relationship

[Brandi555]

I think most people try to follow good morals, and they probably do mostly of the time. The problem is, when something more important comes then they do that instead. Counter question. What is the most important thing in life?

[strateguy632]

because the categories do not conflict. morals does not mean "stop competing for a promotion because if i get it others lost.". even selfish when no threat of death nor pain as @lightbulb27 mentioned

[Agape93]

@GirlsAskGuys @BeeNee

leave me alone and stop bothering me.

[lightbulb27]

thank you for the props!

[strateguy632]

hey... you asked.

[DizzyDesii]

I like to do what i feel is best for the both of us. My intentions are good but Its either whats best for me or whats best for the both of us. I rarely go for the “whats solely best for them/others”. It has to benefit me as well 🤷‍♀️

[Bl0n6eguy]

Everyone has their own ends, its the crimes of the means that reveals the true immorality of the individual.

Those who proclaim to be virtuous the most are usually trying in vain to redeem the sins of their past and present.

[Nikki1989]

The world is full of hypocrites, and you will find most of them within religious circles.

[strateguy632]

at least the athiest is not also a hypocrite when immoral or crime.

[fonduegirl]

Because religious people might claim they're better than other human beings by their acts of selflessness... When they're not. None of us are altruistic. Their efforts are futile.

[strateguy632]

to 19, content not, so who runs the soup kitchens and orphanage? people who don't believe in a book that said help orphan?

[jshm2]

They don't. Neither do you have the evidence to prove different.

You're a bitter old cynic, is all.

[Anemone978]

Because everyone in the world is only doing what is best for themselves, myself included.

[Jaximus-Lion]

Narcissism and fake behaviour (pretenders).

[DawnCoyote]

Because it just human nature. They see certain things as "good" and certain things as "bad". If you went up to a serial killer and asked them if what they did was good, they would probably say yes.

[collie22]

Making claims like that in an unsolicited way is a red flag. Stuff like that should be done by example. Truth is we all mess up

[Blueeyes81]

The end begets the means. People will bypass their morals if they feel it's for the greater good.(mostly self serving.)

[DiegoO]

Since when we don't act in self-interest? We are doomed as species and maybe it's just the natural thing.

[strateguy632]

except christian se teach charity and actually GIVE our hard earned money.

[Massageman]

Maybe they are thinking of getting into politics.

[OddBeMe]

Evolution. Biology.

Why does the kangaroo being chased by dingos toss her baby to the wolves? Instinct.

[BigDog1989]

It's like Christians who claim they "go by the bible", then kill, or cheat

[zebronics]

Because most people are hypocrite, they don't mean what they say or claim🌱

[Anonymous]

It's human nature

Very few people adhere to ethics and morals they preach

[BCRanger10]

Based on what?

[abc3643]

4 billion years of evolution.

[LovingJo]

Because they are narcissists!!

[jahaims]

Denial/wishful thinking

[Thot_Stomper]

You mean Republicans?

[Minahh]

Because they're hypocrites

[strateguy632]

oh as if you and irreligious would not take a "promotion" at the detriment of your coworker. and any job application, if they hire you, instead of someone else, detriment same as the asker wrote.

[normandi]

Nothing wrong with self interest... go for it

[Hinaaaaa]

🤷Two Faced

[sheikalana]

They're delusional.