It’s hard to say
if our social identity increases our responsibility for other people because it
depends on every single case, but I would say it does to a certain extent. In
general I think we’re responsible for the people that mean the most to us. It may
be biological parents, adoptive parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, or
friends, but they have to play an important role in your life and they must
mean something to you. If your father abandoned you when you were 3 months old
and you’ve never met him, I don’t think you’re morally responsible for him
because he hasn’t done anything for you. Of course there can be specific
circumstances that changes things, but this is my general view. If your parents
raised you in a normal way, gave you love, food, clothes etc. then I think you’re
morally responsible for them.
The cases with
family and friends are pretty simple. In short, if they mean something to you
and play an important role in your life I think you’re morally responsible. But
it’s harder when it comes to social/cultural groups and old friends. If your former
best friend for ten years (but you haven’t met him in 20 years) is really sick,
are you morally responsible to help him? I would say yes. Although you haven’t
seen him in 20 years, you’ve had a close relationship and he has played a major
role in your life. When it comes to social/cultural groups I don’t think you’re
as responsible as you’re with family and friends, but you’re still responsible.
A recent example of this is from England, when a fan of the soccer club Everton
lost his wife to cancer. Everton captain Leighton Baines showed up on the man’s
door with flowers, a signed Everton jersey, and a season ticket for next
season. Of course the club can’t do this for every fan that’s going through
some tough time, but it’s a great thing to do when you have the opportunity,
and it’s a proof that they feel morally responsible for their fans that are
supporting the team.
Social Identity is not solely based on the concept of social influence, or the effects society imposes upon us, but also on the identity of the society as a whole, how society behaves and acts in general by those that one interacts with on a daily basis. If one can agree that they are much like those that they interact with on routines and behaviors assumed on a daily basis then they are to be defined as a person primarily by social identity. But the identity of an individual is based on what makes everyone unique from one another. To be someone as defined by one’s own choices, their own identity, one must react to one’s own stimuli, not by that of the world around them. Regardless of the fact that parents raise children, an identity is formed by one’s own thoughts and experiences, and how they perceive them. Personally, I cannot say that I define myself through my social identity because my cognition is very different from what many within my social culture presents to me. I also feel that this is the case for most people who can create the opportunity to branch away from their own society, in that they make their own choices and influence their own development away from the manner that society influences an identity.
ReplyDeleteAs for the concept of social identity and moral responsibility, I do not believe that your moral responsibility should ever fluctuate regardless of the development of your identity. One must always take moral responsibility in the world around them, that is to say, always respect and serve those you interact with, as you would want the world to do to you. I also do not believe one should show more for one person or another, one should always take complete moral responsibility for anyone and everyone.
The only arguement is solely based on your opinion on guns but thats only debated because we are from different counrtires, and a different society. Our upbringings are very different since I was brought up with a dad who hunted for game like deer, birds, etc. It was a sport for him not a weapon for disaster. Besides that I understand the act of kindness on friends but I also think betrayal is a big part of humans so I'm not to sure if I would help a pal that I haven't seen in 20 years but then again maybe I would.
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