Anti-Existentialism

This is a bit deep for a Tuesday evening thought but I was thinking about the motives behind social networking and why this phenomenon as taken off as it has. Those thoughts delved deeper still and seemed to stop at what are the root human desires which motivate us.

So what makes people do stuff?

Ultimately, I think people are motivated by selfishness. Here's why.

Stand aside from the usual negative connotations of the word and look at what it describes. The tendency to consider one-self over others. Where i'm going with this, is that all desires evenually boil down to this.

I have a decent job, working for a decent company. I socialise with certain people who's company I enjoy. I buy food from places which I perceive to be quality merchants. I have a tendency to buy some techie gadgets even though i don't really need them (and deep down I know it). But why?

These are all simple examples but in each case there is a direct link back to my own view of the world, and the things in that world which I think are of value. In that way, I make the focus of my life, me. I am using simple terms here but this is selfishness. My choices, my views, my life.

Now this gets a little more interesting when you consider your relationship to a loved one. Doesn't really matter who; sibling/spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend. I'll use the example of my girlfriend Tessa. So I am in a relationship with Tessa; something about which I am very happy indeed. But what is the root from where that happiness? I believe this stems from a simple biological desire to procreate. This serves me only. This is selfish. As an evolved species, we have built up societal values which shape the way we conduct our lives. As a member of society, I subscribe to a greater or lesser extent to these values. As fidelity is directly beneficial to my future spouse (for reasons I shall not go into detail here), I remain faithful. This serves me and co-incidentally is mutually beneficial. This is selfish to a degree. Atop these (still pretty primal) values here, I have also chosen Tessa as a girlfriend as we share principles on some things, disagree vhemently on others, but generally share the same fundamental values. Again, this serves me and is co-incidentally mutually beneficial. Selfish.

I think what I have described above, goes directly against an existing body of philisophical understanding called "Existentialism" which I would add, i know little about but will read up on.

But really, why do you act, think and decide (hopefully not in that order!) the way you do?

Caveats.

No theory is perfect, and this is probably an overly simplisitic and immature description of the factors affecting relationships but here are some things clearly apparent as potential flaws in my thoughts above.

1. It is possible that I am a selfish individual and the above does not apply to most people (sob).
2. My views are the product of an abnormal bringing (I wasn't raised by wolves but I didn't have an average childhood)
3. I am insane (i don't think so, but it's a possibilty).

What do you reckon? Are humans ultimately selfish beings? (remember - drop the negative connotations)