What I Owe: An Analysis

Introduction

We are all living beings inextricably tied to one another; connected, interdependent, working together as a large community of humanity to get through life. As such, no matter who we are or where we are from, there are a few core principles at the heart of our collective, global understanding of moral obligation: namely, that to reap the rewards of our lives, we must accept and fulfill our obligations to others. While this concept is fundamentally simple, the reality of what it means to be “owed” can be much more complex. This article will explore the concept of “what I owe” from a philosophical and practical perspective—and highlight why it’s essential to view our obligations in a positive light.

The Philosophical Perspective

At its core, the concept of “what I owe” speaks to the idea of moral obligation. Kant’s notion of a “categorical imperative”—which holds that an action is right when its maxim can be adopted as a universal law—can provide some insight into this concept. When we look at the idea of moral obligation through the lens of Kant’s categorical imperative, it becomes clear that our obligations to one another are an integral part of our shared moral foundation and understanding of what we owe to one another: namely, respect, kindness, and ethical behavior.

In particular, when it comes to our obligations to others, philosopher Martha Nussbaum’s notion of the “capabilities approach” is highly instructive. Her idea that we are responsible for using our capabilities (intellectual, social, physical, emotional) to the fullest extent possible, in order to benefit those around us, can provide a powerful framework for what we owe to each other; namely, to take active steps to improve our shared quality of life and to look out for the well-being of everyone in our shared social networks.

The Practical Perspective

Taking a practical view of “what I owe”, our collective obligations can be applied to our daily lives in a variety of ways. On an individual level, we must commit to self-improvement through personal growth, as well as honoring our commitments to others; such commitments may include volunteer work, being a good neighbor, and simply being kind to one another. Additionally, our collective obligations extend beyond our individual lives; being part of a larger community demands that we strive to benefit our wider society in any way we can, by contributing our time and energy to causes that can help bring about meaningful and positive change.

In sum, the concept of “what I owe” is both a deeply philosophical and practical concept. On a philosophical level, it speaks to our collective moral obligation towards one another, and practical level, it spurs us to work towards improving our lives and the lives of those around us. Ultimately, our collective responsibility to make the world we live in a better place is something we all owe—both to ourselves and to each other.