It’s better to know how it affects the people around us

If we want to motivate somebody to do something good, we should explain to them how it helps others, not simply how it helps them.

You could say, “when we wash our hands, we help to prevent ourselves from getting sick.” Or you could say, “when you wash your hands, you help prevent others from getting sick.”

When we think about consequences toward ourselves, we invoke the logic of consequence in the decision-making process. But when we think about the consequence toward others, we invoke the logic of appropriateness.

This logic of appropriateness shifts our focus to a contemplation of our values, what is morally right, and our obligation of right and wrong. This would include both personal and professional moral obligations.

For ourselves and others, it’s good to know how it affects us, but it’s better to understand how it affects those around us.