WHAT HAVE I NOTICED INSPIRES COOPERATION INSTEAD OF COERCION?
Sharing my recent essay published by The Voluntaryist
As recent world events demonstrate, relying upon coercion to achieve goals inhibits cooperation, undermines goodwill, and harms far more people than it helps. Coercion drains lifeblood. In contrast, ancient principles of inalienable human rights provide a sound guide for achieving the greatest good for everyone. Respecting inalienable human rights inspires cooperation.
Most of the best things in life flow from people’s natural eagerness to cooperate to benefit themselves while also helping others. Of course, everyone must take certain actions merely to avoid negative consequences, but these best occur voluntarily, in harmony with nature and with others. Encouraging personal responsibility inspires cooperation.
People living together in respectful cooperation still have imperfections, yet their actions over time show they strive to live by a higher standard, and they admit mistakes. Such people regularly walk in the shoes of others, seeking insights. Through loving and wise contemplation, they draw strength to avoid enabling the abuses precipitated by coercion. Cultivating empathy, kindness, and tolerance inspires cooperation.
Some beautiful human achievements occur even within extremely coercive environments because free will persists. People enduring prolonged oppression could simply give up and die, end their own suffering, yet many do not. Why? Does fear of death keep them going? No. Fear diminishes life and holds no power to sustain. Rather, human will seeks to create meaning out of suffering so others may be spared. Dreaming of a brighter future for others inspires cooperation.
Read the rest here:
https://voluntaryist.com/action/what-have-i-noticed-inspires-cooperation-instead-of-coercion/