The main question posed for this section is, "are you responsible for your fellow human being?" In Biblical terms "Am I my brothers keeper?" (Genesis 4.1-9) In chapter one, we explored three ethical theories. (Aristotle, Kant and Levinas) Levinas claimed that we acknowledge the face of the other and in that recognition, we are in service for the other. Levinas would say that we are our brothers keeper and that we are responsible for their well being. In this way, we are relational beings.
Our relationships and interactions with others define our moral and ethical stance. We can never escape our interconnectedness with others. Our actions are always influencing others.
In popular culture, this concept is contradictary to Levinas' claim. Our culture treasures independence and self reliance. We have established a system that rewards individual success. It is relational in so far as individauls are used as a means to achieve a goal. This concept has also been present throughout time. The Greek story of Narcissus highlights our egotistical ways. We are self absorbed.
Hence the search for the good is relational and involves others. As a result, individuals have to be aware of their influence of others. More importantly, you are a self for and through others.
“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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Are you responsible for your fellow human being ?
In some ways you are responsible for them, if you are close with them you can help them out no matter what. To a certain extent we are all responsible for eachother but at the end of the day you only have youself. (and in most cases your family) Look out for the ones you love because they will be the ones you can lean on.
I would agree that all humans are egoistic and self-absorbed sometimes. selfishness is inevitable, but we also need to look out for people or else our society will eventually crash and burn. It is very important for us to make sure that good deeds are being done and we are "our brothers keepers."
I have realized that others are very important to me because they can help you out when your in tough situations or when your sad and upset. Before when I first started high school I didnt think I could talk to anyone about anything but I've come to realize its easier just to talk to someone then just keeping it inside of you.
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“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Many people have forgotten that. I don't know whether H. Jackson Brown, Jr. meant that for a relationship love or love for all but I believe it to be true for love for all aswell. Why only think about yourself and try to make yourself happy by upsetting others or challenging them, using them, or manipulating them.. does it really give pure satisfaction?? I'd think it would have left anyone guilty to do that yet people still continue with it.
Would it not be better if everyone could bite their tongues and value other individuals? Would that not make a person happy, to see another smile because of them?
People are as important as you deciede they should be, for the msot part this is a me/I society and doing anything outside those lines gets you nothing.
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