I appreciate eveyone's input. I sense that there is no clearcut answer.
The stepdown minimums are obviously there for a reason. On the other
hand, one would be allowed to fly a descent path of one owns choosing
when a visual approach clearance is issued.

The controller is often not aware if one is flying in IMC or VMC. What
is one to do on a approach when you have stepped down into VMC
conditions and the controller yells out an altitude and terrain alert?