Reasons Why Humans Constantly Push the Envelope of Legality and Morality

Human behavior is complex and influenced by a myriad of factors. One intriguing aspect is the tendency to push the boundaries of legality and morality.

Throughout history, humans have continuously pushed the boundaries of legality and morality, often driving societal evolution and change. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans, grappled with philosophical and ethical questions, sometimes challenging prevailing norms. In the Middle Ages, figures like Galileo defied religious orthodoxy, leading to significant scientific advancements despite facing severe repercussions. This continuous push against boundaries has shaped our history and significantly influenced how we live today.

The Age of Enlightenment saw a surge in questioning authority and traditional values. Thinkers advocated for individual rights and freedoms, often clashing with established institutions. The Industrial Revolution brought profound social and economic transformations, spurring debates on labor rights and ethical business practices.

In more recent history, civil rights movements, such as those led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, pushed against legal and moral boundaries to achieve social justice. Technological advancements and globalization challenge existing legal and ethical frameworks today as society navigates data privacy, environmental sustainability, and bioethics. This historical pattern underscores humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress and justice, even when it means challenging the status quo.

Here are some reasons why humans engage in such behavior:

1. Innate Curiosity
   Humans are naturally curious creatures. This curiosity drives exploration and experimentation, sometimes leading individuals to test the limits of laws and ethical norms. The desire to understand the unknown or forbidden can push people to challenge existing boundaries. Staying in our comfort zones can be demoralizing and crippling to anyone at some point.

2. Desire for Power and Control
Pursuing power and control is a fundamental human drive and the primary reason people push legal and moral boundaries to gain influence, authority, or dominance over others. This quest for power can manifest in various forms, from corporate monopolies to political corruption or war.
3. Rebellion Against Authority
Many individuals harbor a rebellious streak from a desire to assert their independence. This rebellion often translates into challenging established rules and norms, whether societal, legal, or moral. This can be good in an oppressive environment. However, it can also be a deviant freedom striking out from being hampered. Context is important here because both are valid and occur in society today.

4. Economic Gain
The potential for financial reward can be a powerful motivator, and I consider this the second factor when pushing the limits. People may engage in illegal or unethical activities to achieve economic success, ranging from white-collar crimes like insider trading to black market dealings. Enron comes to mind regarding white-collar crimes, among many others, in the last twenty years.

5. Social Influence and Peer Pressure
Social dynamics play a crucial role in shaping behavior. Peer pressure and the desire to fit in can lead individuals to engage in activities they might otherwise avoid. This influence is powerful among younger individuals and in tight-knit communities. We can add the current trend of cancel culture to the mix, which often segregates people based on ill-formed ideologies or even misinformation.

6. Thrill-Seeking Behavior
For some, the adrenaline rush that comes with taking risks is a significant motivator. Engaging in activities that push the envelope can provide a sense of excitement and adventure, even if those activities are illegal or immoral.

7. Perceived Inequities and Injustice
When people perceive injustices or inequities within a system, they may feel justified in breaking its rules. Civil disobedience, protests, and even illegal actions can stem from moral outrage against perceived wrongs. The stronger the pressure to conform, the greater the desire to expose, destroy, and correct those inequities or injustices. I have predicted for the last ten years that there will be a revolt of the current wealth inequities in the world. Will that be enough to start a revolution? Only time will tell.

8. Lack of Awareness or Understanding
Ignorance or misunderstanding of laws and ethical standards can lead individuals to cross boundaries. This lack of awareness is often due to inadequate education or exposure to different cultural norms. It is often tied to how new laws are written and the copious supplements in them. It may be due to the sheer number of bills or the number of bills, with many exceeding 1,000 pages or more. For example, the Affordable Care Act of 2010 was 2,500 pages.

9. Psychological Factors
Certain psychological traits and disorders can predispose individuals to push legal and moral boundaries. Traits such as narcissism, psychopathy, and impulsivity can lead to behavior that disregards societal rules and norms.

10. Technological Advances
Rapid technological advancements often outpace the development of corresponding legal and ethical guidelines. This gap can create grey areas where individuals and organizations exploit loopholes or operate in unregulated spaces. To understand this one, we can utter one phrase, “Cyber Exploits.” Then, we can throw in the number of unethical methods legitimate companies use to make it difficult for someone to discontinue a service or find out how to get a refund, all driven by technology.

There is NO simple answer:
A complex interplay of factors influences the tendency to push the boundaries of legality and morality. Understanding these motivations is not just an academic exercise but a crucial step in addressing and mitigating such actions.

It provides insights into human behavior and can help develop strategies to navigate the complex ethical and legal landscape we find ourselves in. However, it’s important to remember that no strategy or law can correct the situation without personal integrity, honesty, and transparency. It all starts with each of us, not the government, business, or God.