On most occasions, people tend to ask themselves, “is it my duty to be good to others? and what do I get from being good? or what is the essence of helping others when I should be gathering for my needs.”
I remember watching a very touching story on YouTube. This video was about an impoverished old man, this individual used to sit on the sides of the road begging strangers to get his daily bread. On a certain day, there was this young boy aged between 8-13 years seated at the driver's seat of his father’s car. It happened that the father stopped just inches away from the beggar to get some foodstuffs at a supermarket and left the lad in the vehicle. The youngster watched the homeless person in pain and tears started pouring from his eyes, and since there was nothing he could do to help, the dad arrived, and they drove back home. When the minor arrived home, he felt restless and devastated, and in his heart, he knew he had to come up with something to offer the aging tramp he saw by the pathway. He convinced his mother not to throw away the meal leftovers and then he put them in a paper bag and ran off to meet the human and give him the food for he needed it most. The parents got worried about his whereabouts, and the father took his motor keys and left the house in search for his child. On his way, he noticed him handing over food to an elderly male. The daddy was so touched by his act, and he thought about how his family was privileged enough to have got everything and had neglected the homeless. He was also prompted to offer assistance, and he asked the man what he needed and gathered for them.
Most people believe that they must be good to others because they know that it is morally correct. To Kant in his philosophy, as humans, we are made to have certain obligations towards other people. We perform some duties because we have the urge to do it and this philosopher calls this categorical imperative. Before we undertake any action, we ought to ask ourselves if it would be ok if all people did such deeds, if the act is good then definitely it is the right thing to do. For example, the boy helped the homeless man because it is rooted in him to aid others and in the end, he was also able to influence his father to also offer assistance (Missselbrook). This kind of acts is what makes society a better place.
At a point in time, we also tend to do good while expecting something in return. But doing the right thing doesn’t always pay off. Even if this is the case, it should not define humanity. Morality should not come from the way of life or the surrounding but should be based on specific grounds such as individual rationality. The boy acted in kindness because he saw that the beggar needed help, and he assisted him without expecting anything back from him. He saw this to be the right thing to do (Crisp).
Some people see it not their duty to be kind to others but rather just gather their wants instead of helping anyone. This person puts their interest first before anybody. But they are wrong because according to Kant our morals forbids us from disrespecting other beings as far as our needs are concerned. Abortion of embryos to obtain stem cells is not recommended since the fetus have been used as a means to an end. According to the philosopher, human dignity prohibits such instrumentalization. Moreover, one can still take good care of themselves and still be good to others because women have a choice to carry the fetus and later on bring them to this world rather than terminating them (Manninen).
In conclusion, looking at all the aspects in life, consider the people living in the streets with no food, shelter or clothing who only depend on others for their living. Imagine yourself in their situation, the help they seek is what you would also need. So, in whatever we do, let us contemplate whether it would have been appropriate if people did it to us.
Works Cited
Crisp, Joseph and Min, D. "Right or Duty: A Kantian Argument for Universal Healthcare." (2013). .
Manninen, Alvarez, Bertha. "A Kantian Defense of Abortion Rights With Respect For Intrauterine Life." (2014). .
Missselbrook, David. "Duty, Kant, and Deontology." (2013). .
