“Let’s do it. We’ve come this far, we might as well go for the three-pointer.” This attitude, understanding, and state of mind characterize what is commonly known as ‘the slippery slope.’ It is difficult to resist, as if individuals obey the push and pull of psychic and emotional momentum – a commitment and supporting overt actions in a given direction make it easy to respond to renewed stimuli to move in the same direction. Whether it is fraudulent conduct or priggish obedience, the desire to appear consistent is habitual in the individual and routine in institutional practice.
Compliance is easy, but beware of its terms and conditions. Thinking continually is too hard, nearly uneconomical and inefficient in its demand on internal, if not also external, resources. Rationalization bends rationality: Bet on the world.