Puritan Philosophy

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Psychology asks if the longing to make the world a better place motivates humans

(intrinsic motivation), or external reward motivates people (extrinsic motivation). The arduous

answer depends largely on the individual. Puritan Philosophy, originating in the early 1600s,

declares that if one does not uphold an upright moral behavior, they will be condemned in the

afterlife or experience other undesirable penalties in this life and the next. The Age of Reason

and Humanism emerged in the early 1700s, and consisted of the belief humans behave morally to

better the world. In most instances, Humanistic philosophies dominate people’s motivation for

moral actions; however, with the Puritan precedent, the fear of negative consequences …show more content…
The

primate nurtured by his mother proves to be the answer. Primates, or other animals, that share

basic necessities, have a greater chance of survival. If the proposed primates reproduce, they will

likely take on the same behavioral tendencies as their parents. This cycle of a benevolent mother

putting her baby’s needs before her own, resulting in an increased chance of reproduction,

produces a gene pool of primates generally motivated by internal rewards. One experimenter

found that infants would help a struggling adult complete a task, such as opening a cabinet door

because the adults hands were full (Warneken). This experiment demonstrates the innate

tendency of helping others without an outside motivation or reward. Because this trial utilizes

infants, it reveals that intrinsic motivated behaviors are not socially acquired. The toddlers in

this experiment validate that most people boast intrinsic wiring, and the need of a reward …show more content…
Donations provide a great example of the numerous individuals

motivated by intrinsic means.

Conversely, on many occasions, a person requires extrinsic means, or the need of a

reward, to complete a task. Many tasks require extrinsic motivation such as, “studying to get a

good grade, cleaning a room to avoid getting in trouble, or participating in a sport to win awards”

(Cherry). In multiple circumstances, a tedious or lackluster task requires a reward to ensure its

completion. Religions also use the appeal of an afterlife to help followers live moral lives; the

Puritans used motivation from the Bible which told alluring promises of Heaven. The Puritans

would contently work in hope they would find a clue of his or her destiny in the Promise Land.

In Of Plymouth Plantation, the author, William Bradford, explained a story when most of the

pilgrim population became ill and only “six or seven sound people,” remained able to care for

the sick people; the healthy people exposed themselves to the repulsive side effects of the unwell

(Bradford). Those who endured the obscenities, hoped that God would reveal him or her as
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