I made this claim a couple of years ago

When we create laws to prevent immoral behavior, we make society less moral.

hoping that Jeff’s philosopher neighbor would confirm it as a well-known ethical principle. I just listened to a Ted talk by Barry Schwaltz that was on this very subject.

From the Ted talk:

Moral skill is chipped away by an over-reliance on rules that deprive us of the opportunity to improvise and learn from our improvisation.

Schwaltz also talks about another topic close to my heart:  that introducing minimum standards optimizes for mediocrity.

And one for Jeff:

Incentives cause the loss of morality

Best Ted talk I have seen this year.

Tickets are on sale for next year. Palm Springs. Anyone want to go?