In addition to the media, the government also tells us what to think. Principles and policies are imposed on the people by their government. When dealing with the government, it is much more than laziness that makes it difficult to think for oneself. In fact, to act against the government, for instance, to refuse to pay taxes, would lead to punishment. It is also the general opinion that the government conducts affairs " which are in the interest of the community," (Kant 3). This too makes it more difficult to be of a different opinion than the government since it would have us believe that it's actions are for the good of the people. .
Inequality also contributes to our inability to think for ourselves. Our education is the first inequality that has this impact. Based upon our education, we are told what to think. If we have a good education, we are told that we are smart and can do good things in the world, but if education is poor, we are led to believe that we are incapable of intelligent thought and must let others tell us what to do. The inequality of education often is a direct result of inequality of wealth and status. The poor do not have the means to get a good education thus can never learn enough to think for themselves. But, why should we think for ourselves? While it is easier to let others think for you, and to tell you what to do, it is important that we think for ourselves. First, to think for ourselves helps to promote the progression of mankind. "A people, it appears, may be progressive for a certain length of time, and then stop: when does it stop? When it ceases to possess individuality," (Mill 68). When we think for ourselves and assert our individuality, we progress as a culture and society. In addition, thinking for ourselves increases our own personal value, " in proportion to the development of his individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is, therefore, capable of being more valuable to others," (Mill 60).
