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> At some point, though, personal responsibility has to come into play. It actually doesn't. Everyone is a responsible as they're capable of being, given their
by staunch 8y ago
> At some point, though, personal responsibility has to come into play.
It actually doesn't. Everyone is a responsible as they're capable of being, given their genetics and their environment. If you're a very responsible person it's because you were fortunate to have your particular genetics and/or environment.
Some people are born into terrible environments but have the genetic luck to be highly responsible. Some people are born into great environments but have the genetic misfortune to be highly irresponsible.
No one chooses to be responsible or irresponsible.
The onus is on the genetically/environmentally lucky people to help the unlucky ones. There's absolutely no shame in being unlucky and no pride in being lucky. There isn't much the lucky people can do to improve genetics (yet) but there's a lot that can be done to improve environments.
- btkramer9 8y ago> No one chooses to be responsible or irresponsible. Really? Everyone's level of responsibility is purely based on a genetic lottery and have nothing to do with one's own willpower? edit: I can understand environment having an effect
- staunch 8y agoNot just genetics. Your willpower is entirely dependent on your genetics and your environment. There are no other factors possible. No one chooses how much willpower they have, just like no one chooses how intelligent they are.
- nugget 8y agoBy your argument if somebody is lucky, successful, and prideful, but feels no desire to help others, wouldn't that apathy also be a result of genetics and environment? And thus you couldn't blame them for it or expect them to act any differently.
- staunch 8y agoExactly. You can certainly pity someone for lacking empathy but blaming them makes no sense. And behavior isn't necessarily a static thing. This same person might read a good book (which would become part environment) which might move them to be more empathetic.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]