The ethics of changing others’ minds (summary)

Abstract

That we try to persuade each other of what we  believe to be true and good is a commonplace  and often beneficial part of social life. More so,  some situations are inherently about and for  persuasion. When we attend a lecture or read a  newspaper comment, we at least accept the risk  of having our minds changed, and we often  want just that, in that we want to learn  something. The same applies to guided heritage  tours. Still, heritage interpreters, like teachers or  journalists, find themselves in a position of  special trust and hence special responsibility. If  they use it to challenge and influence their DXGLHQFH·V KDELWV RI PLQG WKH\ KDYH D PRUDO  obligation to make their agenda transparent  and be prepared to support it with arguments,  not just appeals or suggestive storytelling.

Citation

Thapa, Philipp P. 2024. “The Ethics of Changing Others’ Minds (Summary).” In Conference 2024 Sustainability: Challenging Mindsets through Heritage Interpretation – Proceedings (First Edition), edited by Interpret Europe, 1st ed., 72–77. Potsdam: Interpret Europe. https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iecon2024_proceedings.pdf.