Why seeking common ground can sometimes compromise the common good
In short: We are taught that consensus and collaboration are the ultimate goals of progress. Lawyer and bioethicist Jonathan Marks argues the opposite: that prioritizing agreement over confrontation can lead to dangerous concessions on public health and human rights.
Marks challenges the conventional wisdom that conflict is inherently negative. He illustrates how governments may jeopardize the environment and public health when they prioritize partnering with industry over maintaining a stance of opposition. The core of his argument rests on a vital distinction: common ground is not the same as the common good.
The talk serves as a reminder that some issues require friction to protect the public interest. By examining the risks of industry influence on policy, Marks encourages a perspective where conflict is viewed as a necessary tool for guardianship rather than a failure of cooperation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: In praise of conflict | Jonathan Marks
- Also: In praise of conflict
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