When is it acceptable to impose something on another person, for their own good?
A rule of thumb to keep in mind is that any idea that is so good that it must be mandatory is probably not such a good idea.
Authentically good ideas take hold by virtue of their soundness and the use of persuasion.
Ideas that must be instituted by threat or by force are not the product of freely chosen actions.
People may do what they are required to do, in order to avoid punishment.
But for their actions to be genuinely virtuous, a person must have the choice of not doing it as well.
We should be especially careful whenever conformity is pushed as a means of gaining the acceptance of others.
Psychologists have long understood that groups are far easier to control than individuals.
Anyone who has sat through mandated, consensus-building exercises in the workplace or in public meetings can attest what an effective tool they are to influence groups of people using the power of peer pressure.
These exercises are most effective on the folks who don’t even recognize that they are being manipulated.
Following the crowd or forcing others to comply is not how one becomes a good person.
Let others make their own choices and accept the consequences of their decision.
Yes, some individuals will not make the same choices we do.
We should show by example why our way is better and resist the urge to marginalize.
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