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James Yamada's avatar

I very much agree with all this. I think we are ethically obligated to contribute to this world. The problem, then, is not just whether we are obligated, but how to get others to contribute too. So most of my recent writing attempts to diagnose why people don't act on this responsibility, whether it be due to epistemic or aesthetic limitations.

J.D. Jayne's avatar

Definitely a goal of mine as well! Appreciate the read/comment!

Seán Samis's avatar

Being "responsible" for something is quite different from being obligated to act. Those are not at all the same things.

Cyberphunkisms's avatar

ie this is the opposite of the gorgon culture of commodifying emotional labor; indeed derrida says "we are responsible for that which we find ourselves not responsible for" as opposed to our culture of "you dont owe anyone anything" . No, you do owe.

seminarschools.com/devilsadvocate

https://seminarschools.com/polymyth/devilsdiary/entry-the-fourth/

Rarely Unbeknownst's avatar

Why would something that exists require any kind of justification?

J.D. Jayne's avatar

Can you expand upon what you're trying to get at?

Cyberphunkisms's avatar

both of you need to search "derrida on the american attitude"

J.D. Jayne's avatar

Both of these comments are frustratingly vague.

Could you elaborate on what of Derrida specifically you have in mind? I’m familiar with some of his work, the American attitude and on inheritance and responsibility, and in many ways I think his idea that inheritance requires interpretation rather than passive acceptance is actually compatible with what I’m arguing here.

Seán Samis's avatar

Sorry, but NO. You are only responsible for what you do or fail to do. Nothing else.