The end of motivational theories (part 1): critical and open questioning of the scientific claim of these theories[La fin des théories de la motivation (1 er volet) : Interrogation critique et ouverte de la prétention scientifique de ces théories]

How do theories of motivation fit into a research movement that claims to be scientific? For a theory to be relevant and interesting, it must be able to give a better account of the world, to make it more intelligible and understandable, and ideally it must enable us to interact with it better. The central concept of the theory must meet the same expectations. On what elements are those theories based? What observations? What ontological, dialectical, epistemological and phenomenological foundations and postures? What doxography? What demonstrations? Have the research methods been adapted to the research object or subject? Are there tangible results that allow the founding hypotheses to be held true and justify the practical interest of these theories? Our aim is to question theories of motivation (in the sense of Husserl, 1962), i.e., in a certain way, to see what might be behind the mirror of false pretenses and fine speeches, and to better identify the historical genesis and methodical approaches on which these theories are based. Through this first part of our interrogation, we question and expose the fragility and 'scientific' flaws of motivation theories. From a scientific point of view, theories of motivation appear to be based on an empirical-formal vision without any empirical basis and an ignorance of the unconscious and of hermeneutic approaches that seek to shed light on the meaning of human behaviour; this may raise questions when we are interested in motivation. They appear to be solely projective, focusing on the instrumental transformation of an ignored life and reified individuals. In so doing, they participate fully in a social movement of freely consented submission of the working masses to the service of an economic growth with relatively unevenly distributed benefits.