Sep 16 2009
Strong Moral Convictions as a Bad Thing
Can strong moral convictions be a bad thing? Aren’t we taught that people with unbudging convictions are esteem-worthy?
Psychologists from the University of Illinois recently “explored [the] interplay of moral convictions and religious beliefs as it relates to our trust in authority.” From their study, they concluded (in part) -
[P]eople with strong moral convictions seem to not only base their trust in judgment on a gut reaction, “they do not trust even legitimate authorities to make the right decision in the first place.”
Yes, in some circumstances, distrust of a legitimate authority may be called for. But in others it is an act of putting full stock in one’s own, less-informed position. Not a good thing.
But what do I know? I’m one of those liberal-minded individuals who will waffle on a topic when better/new information comes in.
And, by the way, I am sure that political liberals can be as dogmatically moralistic as conservatives.
