Law in Contemporary Society

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DutyandResponsibility 9 - 24 Jan 2008 - Main.AndrewGradman
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I'm actually really glad no one used the words "duty" or "responsibility" in their introductory statements. I don't believe in the concept of altruism. No one does anything from which they don't benefit and I'm glad that no one decided to declare him or herself a martyr for society. If being self-sacrificing makes you feel good, then you are benefiting from your "altruistic" act. One should commit his or her life to something they love, something that brings joy. Doing something out of guilt (which is how I see "duty") will not bring you joy or self-satisfaction in life and ultimately, you can't be truly committed or good at something you do with a groan. -- KateVershov - 24 Jan 2008
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 To me, the words "duty" and "responsibility" are not related to the choices that individuals make for themselves. These are words related to the choices our government and other institutions want to guilt us into making. We make the choices that we do because we believe in them. We think they are right. They help us to go to sleep at night. At the heart of it, we do the things that make us feel best even if it means doing something to our detriment (like taking a public interest job) because the net effect on us is positive. We are capable of seeing a benefit in more than just material terms. See Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

-- KateVershov - 24 Jan 2008

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Kate -- I believe in altruism because I see people doing things that help other people.

Don't think I'm acting like a functionalist because it was last week's assigned reading. I have believed this stuff since my junior year of college, when it was the assigned reading.

-- AndrewGradman - 24 Jan 2008

 
 
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Revision 9r9 - 24 Jan 2008 - 16:53:02 - AndrewGradman
Revision 8r8 - 24 Jan 2008 - 08:18:18 - KateVershov
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