the 'how' and the 'why'

I have been working on my very own learning theory for a couple of weeks now.  Reading about Dewey, Erikson, Piaget, even Skinner and Pavlov (yikes).  I think naturally, I am drawing upon my own experiences not only as a learner but also as a teacher and administrator.   I've been formulating in my head, and on paper (not paper really - on my computer) my own theories of why and how people learn.  I'm starting to recognize that the 'why' is just as important - stepping out on a limb - perhaps more important than the 'how.'  The how and the why are different, I know that, but they are intertwined and can not be separated - nor should they.  How individuals learn means very little without the motivation to learn (the 'why').  My learning theory is very much based on the why.  I think that, if the motivation is strong enough, learning occurs regardless of how the information is presented.  Perhaps I am taking a little Pavlov, some Erikson, definitely some Maslow and Piaget and mixing it all together in my head to see what comes out.