When to agree to an allegiance, or
When I think about Persuasion what comes to my mind is tryingto persuade an individual. Maybe the idea of persuasion might bring to mindpropaganda and issues of deception, bribery, manipulation, coercion, and even intentionalbias. Each element relates to persuasion, but in different ways. Is persuasioninherently unethical? The answer to this question depends on whom you ask.
Expertsbelieve that is you attempt to change another person viewpoint or actions thatalmost always it is unethical, or at least questionable. In the extreme, thisview holds that persuasion can lead to indoctrination, coercion, brainwashing,and other undesirable outcomes. Even some notable health promotion experts havequestioned the foundation of their work, wondering what right they have to tellothers how to live and what to believe.
Persuasion in the workplace or outsideof work. Compelling others to follow a course of action, to agree to an allegiance,or to buy a product or service. Employers especially value persuasive skillsbecause they impact so many aspects of the workplace resulting in increasedproductivity. However, persuasion techniques are also used in political andfundraising campaigns, legal procedures, and other areas. Can persuasion reallybe unethical.
The answer is clearly yes. People can use persuasion to promotethe way the outcomes that we as a culture find unsuitable. Persuading youngadults to smoke, recommend that people use addictive drugs, persuading the massto harm those who are different in race, gender, or belief. Persuasion could bevery unethical when the tactics are used to persuade are deceptive orcompromise other positive values. Manipulation implies persuasion with theintent to fool, control or contrive the person on the other side of theconversation into doing something, believing something, or buying intosomething that leaves them either harmed or without benefit.
