Does the individual have a moral duty to society?
This opens up a whole new can of worms.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:20, archived)

if you're arguing that people shouldn't have unnecessary cars
then that can only be argued from an "individual having an moral obligation to society" point of view. Otherwise, why should anyone give a shit how many cars someone else has?

*passes back can-opener and offers worms*
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:22, archived)

I'm not arguing about what they shouldn't have,
I'm only saying most people don't need them, which was the original point of dispute.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:26, archived)

true.
but that's a bit of a pointless argument, you don't NEED the computer you're typing on right now. Or your dog. Or a cooker. Or clothes. etc.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:28, archived)

Tell us your answer to that first.

( Dave Trouser ; the people's choice - 75% agree, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:22, archived)

I'll have to think about it.

( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:28, archived)

No.
Or at least, not in such a way as it involves an obligation to do certain jobs just because they're good at them.
( Comma, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:30, archived)

so, then
if you don't have a moral obligation in your working life to benefit society if you are able -and crucially others aren't able - why should you have a moral obligation to do anything in your life that benefits society?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:35, archived)

I'd like to make an active/passive distinction,
and say that we don't have a moral obligation to do anything, only to refrain from doing certain things.
( Comma, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:48, archived)

I'm sure you're right
only the active/passive boundary is a bit of a fucker to define.*

I don't necessarily believe what I'm arguing here, I just think it's an interesting subject.

*as in, "they came first for the Communists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Communist"
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 19:57, archived)