Title: Moral Persuasion
Headings: Moral Persuasion
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Moral Persuasion
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Content: As such, we may indulge in moralizing as a means of persuasive speech as we invoke morals, explicitly or implicitly, as essential acts. Morality is a method of social control that is widely used by groups and societies to regulate how their members act. Morals are not always written down -- instead they are shared through stories and positive/negative action when they are followed/broken. Key reasons people comply with moral persuasion hence is one of: The implied threat of social exclusion and punishment for transgressing a moral. The implied reward of social approval and esteem for enacting a moral (especially when the action can be personally harmful). Criticizing immoral acts allows the moralizer to act as judge, jury and executioner, accusing a person of immorality and demanding reparations without even allowing the person to explain or excuse themselves. This position of power is so attractive, we can easily be seduced by it as we actively seek out even minor transgressions we can criticize. A problem with moral persuasion is that it only works when everyone involved has the same morals. When one person uses a moral to persuade that another either does not follow or has an opposing moral, then conflict may well ensue.