If you see a problem, and you can fix that problem. Does that mean that you hold a responsibility to fix it?

Question

Kiel G : You & I both know thats a lie.

Answer 1

sure why not, jesus would do it.

Answer 2

It depends--if it's for the best yeas and it will help everyone sure--But if it's not your business than you might get yelled at for getting involved.

Answer 3

Not always.  Some people need to learn to fix things for themselves.

Answer 4

To some extent, yes.  You can't be expected to sacrifice everything to fix other people's problems, but you should do something for them, like connect them to the resources and the help that they might need.

This is part of the meaning of the "curse of intelligence" - the more you know, the more you see happening.  And we get drawn into all sorts of moral dilemas about this stuff - when is "enough" enough?  How far are we morally obligated to go?  To what extent is someone responsible for fixing their own problems?  How are we to know if someone is really okay?

In all honesty, its something that I struggle with a lot.  We have our own lives to live, and so a lot of people, I think, use that as an excuse to ignore some serious problems.  Others blame a person's problems on them and simply look the other way, while denying that the person with the problem could be doing all they can to pull through on their own.

I usually base my decision to act or not to act on a couple of things:  How serious is the problem?  How much is it effecting the person?  Can they fix it on their own?  What can I do to help?  Can I spare the time/energy needed for this?  If I let it go, will the person be okay?  What's the likelihood that they will be able to find someone who can understand what's going on?

I don't like to sit by and do nothing when I know that I can do something, regardless of how much that "something" leaves undone.  Looking the other way, no matter how I answer the above questions, never sits well with me.  Thank goodness my social circle is very small.

Answer 5

Depends on your philosophy. If you want to assist the world in its steps to maturity - your duty may to be fix (or make better) what you see.  But this can sometimes tax and overburden you.  If you need that rest - then I do not think - you are morally bound to assist.

Answer 6

Depends. Soes the person or people whose problem it is want your help?