Cutting corners undermines social morals

Responsibility and Judgment is a collection of Hannah Arendt's unpublished papers, most of which are concerned with moral philosophy. Talking about moral issues would appear to be out of fashion when many Chinese seem to place personal interest before anything else. But I think that it is precisely because money-worship appears to be the be-all and end-all for so many that discussing moral issues has never been so urgent.

Anyone can claim that he or she is not guilty of the crimes perpetrated by a regime, policy or the society to which he or she tacitly belongs. That means that only those in political power are held responsible for the actions and history of a nation.

And while many love to take credit for the glory of a nation they are quick to disassociate themselves from any negative aspects. But without a sense of personal social responsibility it is very hard for society to develop in a sensible way.