I agree this is the fundamental question and disagreement. I certainly don't think coercion is ethical.

Wowfunhappy an hour ago | parent | next [-]

We "coerce" children to do all sorts of things. We make them go to sleep. We make them learn to use the toilet.

	▲	b112 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Indeed. Children and not "little adults". They are emotionally and intellectually immature, literally with the brain and body growing into to the capabilities of an adult. And if good habits are not instilled, they will have a difficult life ahead of them. It's far easier to learn those habits when young, than to try to independently course correct as an adult. Not coercing a child towards correct behaviours, is doing them a great disservice. In some circumstances, it's child abuse to not coerce those bahaviours.

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protonbob 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Why not?

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gamerDude an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

In a way, I think coercion is a requirement to be ethical. Ethics is determined based on what current society believes to be the right thing to do. We see that there are a variety of different cultures and ethics around the world, which would indicate that humans wouldn't just automatically follow a universal set of rules.

Thus to be ethical in your society, usually means you must follow the rules determined by a collective group of your nations ancestors or you will be shunned/jailed/harmed/etc. Which is essentially coercion. "Act this way or be punished."