why do the majority of people need fear to act right? i.e. religion, government, etc...?

Question

people should just want to be good to be good, not because they fear going to hell, or jail....are we not civilized?

Answer 1

The majority of people need some intense emotion to act at all, and fear is an easy button for politicians to push.

The fact is that most reactions based on fear are usually either self-destructive or at best short-term bandaids that cause more harm later.

Answer 2

First of all the MAJORITY of people do not need fear to act right as you put it. This is explained in Kohlberg's moral stages. The first stage is very child like and is simply a reward vs punishment scenario in which very few adults make decisions by. Most adults at least move up to the second level of decision making which is explained with the analogy of "following the crowd" Most adults (the majority) reach this level at least. This is where people just do what everyone else does so not to stand out in the crowd. The third and final stage is the stage where a person makes decisions based on his or her own judgment and foresight. Very few adults ever reach this level either, most people remain at the second level. This is also explained in a six level model, but I kept it simple for time's sake.

Something to think about

Answer 3

I personally believe that the majority of people do not need fear to try to act in a civilized fashion. But without government, the uncivilized minority would rule the majority. And belief in God is about much more than "fear of hell." Ask any person of faith.

Answer 4

Most of us are trained by a form of discipline that uses fear as a motivator. That is the weakest form of discipline, and once the intimidator (usually called parents) is gone, the behavior reverts to the unwanted behavior.
This model of discipline, as it is known in psychology, is taught in the first psychology class in college. It's one of the most basic elements of psychology, and as long as it's been taught, most people who learn it, seem to forget it when it comes to training their own children.
So, yes, the majority of people need fear, or other strong emotions, to act at all, much less "right."
The most effective form of discipline is "an irregular schedule of reinforcement." That's what gambling is, and why gambling addiction is so wide spread. Sometimes you get your reward -that makes you happy. Others you lose, and you are disappointed. But you remember how good you felt when you won, so you gamble again looking for that feeling of elation. Already you're hooked.
The same is true for the rest of our lives. Perhaps you can try to raise your children this way.

Answer 5

the majority dont. thru out the years, the minority has ruled. everyday people just want to get by and raise their families. no matter who you are, youve always got someone telling you what to do. its irritating. religion and government are the 2 largest factors in war, death, and all the rest of the negative things we have to put up with. as long as 1 person goes to another place and kills someone they have never met, because someone else told them to do it, we are uncivilized and stupid.

Answer 6

While i worked in a zoo/animal park ...my experience was the raw /true nature of a mammal,was survival,fear is a basic reaction to survive.....run if you can if not turn and fight for life.

Answer 7

Religion and government is the cattle prod of society.