Sadly yes, it is just because they want to and can. I have come to this realization in recent times. But then again this is true for most of the things in life (if you want it and are able, you do it), so it doesn't provide a detailed insight into where does this particular will come from. I can understand for people to have it when the world was small, but the more knowledge man acquired and sought to control things, the more it exposed the things still to know.So I think there is some willful ignorance involved which discounts this uncertainty or fog of war and generates the will to influence humanity centuries hence.