I imagine everyone does.
Apparently not, as a couple of people have said that they find it a useful explanation of my point of view.
You have a duty of "due diligence" in carrying through a task like buying your wife a present. It is too easy to find out her size to have an excuse for muffing it. Therefore, it is thoughtless to buy her a present in the wrong size.
You have a duty to be careful in executing a task with obvious hazards. Although anyone may be subject to accident, if blame is assessed, it is on the basis of carelessness.
Again, there is a duty of "due diligence" in executing a task like planting a tree, and therefore one might be blamed for lack of preparation.
I do not think there is a duty to vote in all cases. It is difficult to get information enough to assess the candidates in some local races, especially if one is overburdened with family or business obligations. I do think that there is a duty to vote as often as possible, especially in general and federal elections, when one is likelier to get adequate coverage to make an informed decision. In any event, voting is contingent on having become sufficiently informed to have a valid opinion, which one should strive to do, but which one can make allowances for failing to do in certain circumstances. The duty, in any case, is to participate at least minimally as a citizen, in order to keep democratic deliberation viable.
One has a duty not to raise expectations, which is similar to making a promise, that are almost certain to be disappointed, if it is avoidable. Of course, one cannot be responsible for all inferences made by others, but assuming that one is quite careless in one's behavior, one is at least partially responsible for the harm that will ensue, and therefore has behaved irresponsibly.
One has a duty to cultivate positive traits of character, and therefore to behave with some kindness to others. In the case adduced, we assume that the old lady is seriously discommoded by standing, and that the discomfort to oneself would be trivial, so there is nothing heroic or particularly generous about, but instead would be rather thoughtless or unkind not to make the gesture.
I hope this helps. |
