30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking: A Guide for Improving Every Aspect of Your Life, Revised and Expanded

Day Twenty-Four. Don’t Be Righteous: Show Mercy

Most of us think that if other people were to think just like us, the world would be a better place. Remember that we naturally believe that what we think is right. And when people don’t think like us and don’t behave like us, we are often intolerant. We often want to see people punished for being different (though, of course, we wouldn’t admit this). For example, more and more behaviors are criminalized in the U.S. because of intolerance for others’ lifestyles. Consider prostitution. Many people find it disgusting and perverted. They therefore want prostitutes punished (for their repulsive behavior). Similarly, many people are upset by the idea of recreational drug use. They see people who engage ...