Philosophers on Responsibility: Nietzsche, Sartre, Weber, and Arendt
2 Philosophers and Responsibility
Friedrich Nietzsche
For Nietzsche, humankind is tamed by customs that force everyone to behave alike. Concepts like guilt, where each individual feels responsible to society, enforce this conformity. Any act deviating from the norm is deemed immoral. Nietzsche proposes instead that each person answer to themselves, judging their own actions. This perspective prioritizes individual freedom over collective responsibility.
Jean-Paul Sartre
Sartre’s view on responsibility centers on the idea that no choice is good for us unless it’s good for all. Every decision reflects not only how we want to live but also how we believe all people should act. Sartre argues that each choice should be made as if it were the ideal prototype for all humanity. This implies a responsibility not just to oneself but to an abstract ideal of humanity.
Max Weber
Weber introduced the concept of ethical responsibility for politicians. He believed politicians should act according to principles and convictions while considering the consequences of their actions. Weber criticizes politicians who act solely on principle without regard for the real world, but also those who act without principles, focusing only on results. He advocates for a balance between principle and consequence.
Hannah Arendt
Arendt connects responsibility with education. Educating means introducing children to the world, a responsibility that falls on adults. She observes a modern crisis of authority, where adults refuse to take responsibility for the world they’ve created for children. This abdication of responsibility undermines the authority necessary for education and societal well-being.