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I mean, at some point, it just becomes a tautology: "People will work to increase the things that matter to them most".

How do you know those are the things that actually matter (as opposed to the things they say they value)? Because those are the things they work to maximize.

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From the standpoint of homo economicus, that is the point. And, contrary to the OP's point, it doesn't constrain utility to just economic utility.

>How do you know those are the things that actually matter (as opposed to the things they say they value)? Because those are the things they work to maximize.

The counterpoint from behavioral economics, is that homo ecnomicus is a myth and people aren't wholly rational actors. Implying there may be a gulf between what they actively maximize and what they think "actually matter."

it is a tautology.

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