Underlying Premises that Motivates Particular Actions and Reactions

To better understand why people act in the way they do, let's take a look at the following extract from Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People.  Here, you have two major camps, one subscribing to the view that self-interest should be subservient to the common good and the other holding on to the opposite viewpoint, namely that self-interest is of paramount importance.

(A bite-sized appraisal of the issue that is central to the story: Dr Stockmann discovers that the public baths that the town is planning on opening to attract the tourists are polluted and hence, injurious to health. The townsfolk, on the other hand, are afraid of alarming the tourists and driving them to neighbouring towns, thereby losing out on cashing in on the mighty tourist dollar when tourists get alarmed at the news and retreat, instead, to the neighbouring towns which will, in turn, be enriched by these tourists.)

The extract, from Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, is as follows:

Mayor Stockmann (takes a sheet of paper from his pocket).	For the protection of the public, it will be sufficient if this goes in. It's an authorised statement. If you will.
Hovstad (taking the sheet).	Good. We'll insert it right away.
Dr Stockmann.	But not mine! People think they can stifle me and choke off the truth! But it won't go as smooth as you think. Mr Aslaksen, would you take my manuscript and issue it at once as a pamphlet - at my expense - under my own imprint? I'll want four hundred copies; no, five - six hundred I'll need.
Aslaksen.	Even if you gave me its weight in gold, I couldn't put my plant to that use, Doctor. I wouldn't dare, in view of public opinion. You won't get that printed anywhere in this town.
Dr Stockmann.	Then give it back.
Hovstad (hands him the manuscript).	There.
Dr Stockmann (picks up his hat and stick).	It's coming out, no matter what. I'll hold a mass meeting and read it aloud. All my fellow townspeople are going to hear the voice of truth.
Mayor Stockmann.	There's not an organisation in town that'll rent you a hall for such a purpose.
Aslaksen.	Not one. I'm positive of that.
Billing.	Ye gods, no!
Mrs Stockmann.	But this is shameful. Why do they all turn against you, these men?
Dr Stockmann (furiously).	I'll tell you why! It's because all the so-called men in this town are old women - like you. They just think of their families and never the common good.
Mrs Stockmann (taking his arm).	Then I'll show them a - an old woman who can be a man for once. I'm standing with you, Thomas!

In the above extract, Dr Stockmann is angry because he is prevented from revealing a piece of news that would help protect the public. The other men, such as the Mayor and Aslaksen, are afraid that the disclosure will affect their and the townsfolk's interests. 

What are the different premises that lead Dr Stockmann and the other men to act in the way they do?  For answers, go to Blog Post in the Pear Tree website.