Are most humans naturally lazy?

[Anonymous]

The study of humanity is an important philosophical topic. It does influence political philosophy too. What do you think about the nature of people?

Yes, people are generally naturally lazy.

No, I do not think that people are generally lazy.

[Purpleronnie]

I don’t think most people are naturally lazy. I think we’re naturally drawn to comfort and tend to avoid effort unless we see a good reason for it.

Most of us will work incredibly hard when something actually matters to us - family, money, a goal, a passion, whatever it may be. What gets called laziness is often a lack of motivation, purpose, or reward rather than an unwillingness to work.

To me, human nature is really just balancing effort against what we think we’ll get back from it. The more something matters, the harder we’re usually willing to graft.

[strateguy632]

1not naturally lazy. toddlers are busy! they learn to be lazy. 2 yes adults are generally lazy. they don't want to pay any taxes and better yet not work.

[purplepoppy]

People aren't lazy, it's just they often feel the reward isn't worth the effort or they're getting short changed.

[Asker]

So people only work hard if they feel they are justly rewarded? I still think that suggests people are naturally lazy because it suggests people don't naturally work hard—they need a reward in order to work hard.

[purplepoppy]

What's wrong with that? Expecting hard work from people without fair reward is exploitation

[Calyptomaniac]

Technology helps make people lazy, but not because it's natural

[KostasKouvalis]

I'll say THIS. If humans had the option to live their dream life without having to work, they would