If you meet people's basic needs, they do not cease to care or aspire.
A lot of the issue is "bullshit jobs" and being forced to do one. Work needs to be done, but we could be just as productive and maintain higher quality of life if we all worked less or for a shorter part of our lifespan.
Folks are happy to do a job that helps others, but they're less inclined to do a job to make a few bastards rich.