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Good Samaritans—-or Priests and Levites?

Using William James as a Guide in the Study of Religious Prosocial Motivation

University of Kansas

Guided by the spirit of William James, a research strategy is outlined for addressing the question whether the motivation to help associated with a devout, intrinsic, end orientation to religion is altruistic or egoistic. Conceptual analysis of the distinction between altruism and subtle forms of egoism suggests two egoistic motives to help that could easily be associated with intrinsic, end religion: (a) avoidance of social and self-punishment in the form of shame or guilt; (b) acquisition of social and self-rewards in the form of praise or esteem. Three research procedures are described that have been used to determine whether the motivation to help associated with intrinsic, end religion is directed toward one of these egoistic goals or whether the motivation is truly altruistic.

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