A Sense of "Ought To"

   Why the big differences between the way kids do in school?  
   Some do very well and others do very poorly.  One can attribute 
   it to interest, motivation, ability to concentrate, etc., and 
   no doubt these things are involved.  But perhaps there may be a 
   deeper reason.  I ask myself: "Why did I study when I was in 
   school?  Was it primarily interest that propelled me?  The 
   answer is no.  Was it because I enjoyed studying?  No. The 
   reason I studied was because of a feeling deep down inside me 
   that I should, that I "ought to" (a sense of moral obligation, 
   duty).  It was that feeling that propelled me in the most of 
   the things that I did then.   And it is the same feeling that 
   still propels me in the most of the things that I do now.  If I 
   ask myself "What is the underlying reason that I do the most of 
   the things that I do each day in the daily routine of life?" 
   the answer must be:  "I do 90% of the things that I do each 
   day, not from interest in doing them, or enjoyment from doing 
   them, but because I know I 'should' do them, because I know I 
   'ought to' do them."  It is a sense of duty, a sense of 
   responsibility, a sense of right that lies behind it.  When 
   there are things that need to be done at home or at work I do 
   them, I do them promptly, and I do them well.  Why?  The 
   feeling that "I ought to".  It is the right thing to do.  
   Generally, I have no interest in them.  And, very often, I 
   obtain little pleasure in doing them.  And if I do find 
   interest or pleasure in doing them it is pleasure or interest 
   that is generated after I have started them.  I keep things 
   tidy and in order at home and at work.  Why?  The feeling that 
   I "ought to".  It is a mental habit, a compulsion.  And I must 
   wonder if this habit of doing those things that I feel I should 
   do is not the thing most responsible for my accomplishments and 
   achievements down through the years.  And I also wonder if lack 
   of it is not the main reason for the lack of achievement in 
   many people.  There are many people who habitually 
   procrastinate, who only do those things they enjoy doing or 
   feel like doing.  The interior of their house becomes a mess 
   because they don't pick things up and keep it clean.  The 
   exterior falls into disrepair because of many outside jobs 
   going undone.  Many people live surrounded by many things that 
   they ought to do but don't do.  Why?   Either they don't have 
   this feeling of "ought to" or they have it and don't obey it.  
   Going back to the subject of children's performance in school I 
   suspect that the main reason many children do poorly in school 
   is either that they don't have this feeling of "ought to" or 
   they have it, but don't obey it.