In this episode I discuss how our behavior is often driven more by the fear of negative consequences than by genuine moral conviction—a dynamic evident in everyday settings like schools, where students attend class to avoid punishment rather than out of a commitment to learning, and in broader societal issues from speeding fines to cancel culture silencing political debates on topics like school choice and gun control; I argue that while laws are essential for deterring misconduct, they should also inspire true virtue by celebrating those who act ethically for its own sake, promoting an environment where personal and objective truths coexist, and where media focus shifts from sensationalizing celebrity missteps to highlighting everyday heroes whose principled actions strengthen communities—a shift that begins in the home and is reinforced in schools and society at large.

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