Philosophy For Our Times The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely
May 13, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Dan Ariely, a behavioral economics expert, Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist on morality, and Nancy Sherman, a philosophy professor, explore the dark implications of chasing rewards. They argue that rewards can undermine our intrinsic motivation and even lead to addiction. The trio debates intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations, emphasizing the need for a balance. They also tackle the complexities of ethical persuasion and innovative approaches to student motivation, advocating for genuine connections over mere incentives.
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Beyond Monetary Rewards
- Tangible rewards like money do motivate but they are not everything that drives human behavior.
- Love, social connection, and morality provide intrinsic rewards that often surpass financial incentives.
Focus on Intrinsic Incentives
- Find joy in activities through feelings of mastery, learning, and social connection.
- Focus on intrinsic incentives like appreciation and fairness, rather than points, stars, or money.
Ancient Views on Reward
- The ancient Stoics believed virtue itself is the true reward, independent of external rewards.
- Aristotle promoted a balance, valuing both intrinsic virtue and reasonable external rewards.
