Great contribution! Thanks! The highlight seems to be that they need to choose and some have blocks that stop them. What would you say are those blocks?
I was asked about my perspective of prisons and how it relates to being a better person.
Prisons are truly a microcosm of the United States. All the angles of culture are represented: race, religion, orientation, income, etc...
From my perspective, a person is only as good or bad as they choose to be. Everyone has the potential to be either or anywhere on the spectrum between the two extreme ends. I acknowledge that people are usually a result of the upbringing, experiences, (e.g.). However, I know from my life experiences that you are not destined to repeat the patterns of your parent(s).
Being a better person, comes down to personal choice and the willpower to see it through.
Over the years, I've become very familiar with the mindsets of people that are addicts, thieves, murderers, rapists, and so on. Each one has their own moral code, believe it or not, and they adhere to it. Are they better people after they finish their sentences? I think they are if they choose to be.
I've run into quite a few people that I first met when they were incarcerated, some have become business owners, employees with decent jobs, and also homeless, re-addicted, or seen them on the inside again for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc... incarcerations. They have to choose to change.
I know I've rambled on, this topic could be discussed for hours and hours. I apologize. But, if you made it this far I thank you.
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Discussion
One of the main stumbling blocks I see, is the lack of a support structure when they get out. They have good intentions, and do good for a little while, but then they end up falling in with the same friends and peer group that contributed to their prior incarceration.
Yes! Environment is so important in the pursuit of change.
Who a person surrounds themself with makes a large difference. Willpower and determination have the ability to overcome this, in my opinion, but that is probably an exception to the rule. My advice for every single person that will listen is, get away from those people that helped you get incarcerated.
I know both types of people, that go back to the same environment and that don't. And there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
I would ask, is there a way to teach willpower? I think that skill is ultimately what will let you control your own future.
Perhaps willpower can be taught through virtue ethics. As you referenced earlier, they have a moral code but is it the correct one that is best for them and others in their environment?
Perhaps living up to specific virtues would help, like Stoicism. Also, a spiritual belief system is said to be the principal cornerstone in living a good life. Not just religious. More of a sense of connectedness to one another.
The stronger perception a person has, of community, the better they are at not acting in an antisocial way. I like your point about connectedness. This also brings up the topic of "division" and recognizing that certain aspects of the system are designed to isolate us from community. The less connected we are, the easier it is to control us.
I wonder if Bitcoin could help fix part of this? 🤔
Yes. But personal responsibility is also something that cannot be overlooked. I admit that I am late to the bitcoin game, because I was too involved in other things to see its importance.
You can try to on-board people, but they have to choose to be involved... and not be distracted by shiny objects, like I was.
Agree! It takes time. Watering seeds indeed.