Moral Incentives

1. Everyone has a duty to herself to preserve her life.

I completely agree with this statement because I am aware that after experiencing a lot of harm, she tries to place boundaries to prevent those same cycles from occurring. I agree to protect yourself for the sake of your sanity, but don’t be so overprotective of yourself that you diminish your sense of freedom to concerns of fear. The reality is risk help us grow and sometimes those risk can appear harmful when they aren’t. Would you run if you knew there was an opportunity to grow on the other side of that risk?

2. Everyone has a duty to others to not make a false promise.

I agree with this statement too, because I believe that affects a level of respect for everyone. When one makes a false promise, they show their character as being inconsistent, nonchalant, or detached. I also believe that to be valid because in the Book of the 4 Agreements: Toltec Culture, they speak on the value of being impeccable with your word. They explain that when you communicate authentically, you serve your soul and the individual which creates a healthy communication style. How does it make you feel when others cancel on you? Have you ever considered how your soul feels when you cancel on it?

3. Everyone has a duty to himself to cultivate his talents.

I do believe it should be a duty to self, but I also believe that there could be a level of responsibility that is owed to others. I say that because as one understands herself, she can expand her consciousness which allows her to master for herself and those like her. However, she must first understand that choosing herself is just as important as submitting herself. If we’re not bettering ourselves, are we really enjoying life? Do you find life more enjoyable when you live actively trying to be your best or is it more satisfying being ignorant?

4. Everyone has a duty to show concern for others.

Everyone does not have a duty to show concern for others, but I find it more helpful when they do. I just believe we could check on people more, but what’s the point when people like to keep their “sufferings” to themselves. Even when you ask in a concerned manner, people still have the freedom of opinion to not be honest of their condition, so it makes it pointless to ask. I believe the kinder people are those who have a capacity to show concern for others without reward or recognition. Do you believe one should request help versus someone seeing the lack and providing it without question? Why or why not? What’s your policy on seeking help or reaching out to others? Do you suffer in silence or ask for help without hesitation?

These imperatives basically justify the knowledge Weil shares. Weil stated that the human is to be respected based on the fact they’re human. Therefore, these imperatives allow it to be more action based in one’s understanding. For example, when you respect human existence, you take responsibility of being honest and trying to help others in whatever way you can. Your generosity reflects how true or false your promise is to self about your virtues as well as your promise to humanity as part of the collection of the world. That generosity can only be felt when people put their personal concerns before another, because when you pour from an empty soul; you really do desire something in return. I believe a lot of this affects our order and liberty because we must trust that our freedom of opinion is best for us, no matter how it affects someone else.