Help me Think

Why do we tell people what to do, instead of helping them think through THEIR choices?

I get that a business, informal or formal group, or government has to have rules, either policy and procedure or at least culture and taboo to provide a structure for safety, productivity and efficiency. But why does it always slide to a lazy state of just telling people 'do this'? I even get that unhealthy or immature people need the fear of punishment to help them over ride their passions. Hence, fear is the beginning of wisdom.  

But the goal should always build people up to where they understand their role, boundaries and their responsibilities, and once they have grown up fear is now a detriment.

Fear can backfire. Telling, or controlling the actions in the minutia breeds fear and angry people who are full of excuses because it is not their fault. When you tell someone what to do, you open the opportunity for them to blame you when it doesn't work. Rationally, you cannot tell someone what to do and then expect them to accept the consequences. It also isn't healthy for someone to be told to do something they don't agree with and expect them to own the consequences. Helping people think it through builds society and produces happy people.

For the sake of humanity, we have to take the time and have the discipline required to help people think. I really do think it is just that simple.