Autonomy, Manipulation, and Respect (for Mortals)

Abstract

<p>Manipulative communication (communication that “pushes people’s buttons,” works at an unconscious level, and bypasses critical thinking) is often regarded as unethical because it fails to respect rational autonomy. But, if we take seriously the extent to which people are only very imperfectly rational, we may need to rethink this norm and the associated conception of autonomy.</p>