I understand the difference between "duty" and "beyond duty." I imagine everyone does. There's no need to repeat that. What I'm still working on is the basis of the duty to apologize.
I can understand, though, the obligation to give the waiter a tip. I would explain it as a part of the implied service contract between the restaurant and the patron. I don't much like the word, duty, in that context, though. I would reserve "duty" for a different class of obligations, like professional and family duties, Mom, God, and country sorts of things, rather than mere social obligations.
So you do not think it is disgraceful to be a cheapskate and stiff a waiter? Duty is no more than what one should do to avoid blame.......
So
if we create a list of things for which one might reasonably be blamed, we can look behind each one and find a duty?
Forgetting your wife's birthday.
Getting her a present, but in the wrong size.
Dropping and breaking a plate while doing dishes.
Planting a tree that died because it was unsuitable for the climate.
Not voting.
Leading someone on.
Not getting up to give your seat on the bus to a little old lady.
I'm struggling to find the duty. Perhaps remembering your wife's birthday. |
