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Do I Have an Obligation to Help Others?

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a) Why should I help someone else in need? Answer that question from the point of view of Hume and Kant.

Hume

Hume claimed that desire and not reason is what governs human behavior. He broke ranks with the Rationalists who came before him who claimed that reason governs human behavior. Hume claimed that reason should obey our desires and not the other way around.

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Solution Summary

This is a discussion regarding responsibilities that individuals have as members of a society. Do members of a society have an obligation to other members of society. If so, why should I help other people? This question is analyzed from the philosophical perspectives of Kant, Hume and Breslauer. Over 350 words of original text with links to informative websites for further research.

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a) Why should I help someone else in need? Answer that question from the point of view of Hume and Kant.

Hume

Hume claimed that desire and not reason is what governs human behavior. He broke ranks with the Rationalists who came before him who claimed that reason governs human behavior. Hume claimed that reason should obey our desires and not the other way around.

The reason that I should help someone else in need then is because they (or the situation) make me feel like helping them. My decision is not ...

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