Something is ‘intrinsically good’ if it is good in itself (as an end itself), not with respect to its instrumental goodness–not what it is good for (not as a means to an end). Intrinsic goodness cannot be established by sensory observation; that is, it cannot be based on what exists (Steiner, 1988). While, something that is extrinsic has value/worth assigned from the outside.
Intrinsic Goods:
• Being able to create impacts in people’s lives in the areas of charity and helping others selflessly while gaining satisfaction.
• Solving life problems through business.
• Family bonding.
• Extending love and care to loved ones.
• Finding purpose and gliding through it, such as having to make career decisions.
• Having to bake confectioneries such as cake.
• Football, one of the games that brings people together and bond with one another.
• Teaching and the positive results that come afterwards.
• Travelling makes some of them really happy.
• Expressing oneself through writing is one of the attributes that brings about happiness.
• Eating food.
• Prayer is another happy drive.
The above list is clearly intrinsic because it meets up with the criteria of being one in the sense that these are goods that are good all by itself and worthy.
Although, while it may be fuelled by extrinsic goods, the individual who does it putting in time and efforts feels fulfilled alongside others who can understand it.
On the contrary to extrinsic goods, there is no competition and no knowledge is wasted, rather gained.
The above can be classified into Knowledge, Life, Play, Aesthetic experience, Harmony with other people, Intelligent control of one’s life, Religion intrinsic goods as illustrated below.
Intrinsic Goods:
Harmony with other people:
• Being able to create impacts in people’s lives in the areas of charity and helping others selflessly while gaining satisfaction.
• Solving life problems through business.
• Family bonding.
• Extending love and care to loved ones.
Knowledge:
• Finding purpose and gliding through it, such as having to make career decisions.
Play:
• Having to bake confectioneries such as cake.
• Football, one of the games that brings people together and bond with one another.
• Expressing oneself through writing is one of the attributes that brings about happiness.
• Eating food.
Knowledge:
• Teaching and the positive results that come afterwards.
• Travelling makes some of them really happy.
Religion:
• Prayer is another happy drive.
I would have loved to add money and Status are the two extrinsic things I will love to add to the list among others and this because many of these intrinsic values can’t be achieved without ‘money’ such as food and travelling as regards my above list.
‘Status’ because life itself is based on hierarchy of things or different levels of strata, it is what guides us also by the day, that after we are done with a particular level, we head onto another, an example is one realising it is time for them to get married and see it as a source of fulfilment.
The difference between the two categories of goods.
• Extrinsic goods involve a competition while intrinsic doesn’t.
• Intrinsic goods shares knowledge and gains knowledge while extrinsic doesn’t.
• Intrinsic goods are one that has value in itself while extrinsic isn’t.
This will help you understand humans better and how many people live ‘moment after moments’ while others plan towards a future and what actually drives their thoughts and decisions resulting to where they are or headed.
