On the Morality of Using Persuasion

in morality •  2 years ago 

The core moral construction of any persuasive technique involves a deliberate choice of rhetorical means and objectives. This responsibility is determined by the person doing the persuading and the individual being persuaded. The persuader is the one making the decisions, and the person being persuaded can be a neutral observer. The ethical dilemma arises when the message is contrary to the public's value judgments.

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As such, persuasion is unethical if it is used for personal gain or without the knowledge or consent of the audience. Other forms of persuasion are unethical, including brainwashing, torture, and coercion. The best use of persuasion is for social good and not for personal gain. However, there are ethical tests that one can apply when using persuasion.

As per usual, people often look at the actions of others to determine their own behavior. They've been exposed to these principles since ancient times, and have been developed to work in new ways, such as social media and mobile devices. It's important to understand how persuasion works before using it, so you can use it appropriately. In order to avoid ethical concerns, consider your audience when considering the type of persuasion you use.

The ethical responsibilities of persuasive agents come from their social position, the duties they take on, and the consequences of their communication. The ethical consequences of persuasion depend on the moral standards of the person being persuaded. In other words, if the person being persuaded is being persuaded to engage in an act that is unethical, the moral value of that action will decrease.


The ethical problems that arise from persuasion are addressed by virtue ethics. A virtuous person would not persuade a person to harm another or themselves. Therefore, morally-minded individuals and companies would avoid persuading people to harm themselves. They would rather influence them to change their actions, not to harm others. In some cases, moral persuasion is a necessary part of efficient administration.

In addition to using persuasive techniques in marketing, persuasive apps can help consumers to stop drinking alcohol. These apps are more effective if they explain the target behaviour clearly. The user should be clearly explained about the intended outcome, and then given the opportunity to opt-in or decline. By answering yes, the user can be persuaded to perform a specific action. This means that the user is willing to act upon the advice given by the app.

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