There's no such thing as duty (moral, beliefs, faith, moral)

[Aqualung]

What is duty? It's one person thinking another is inferior because the second doesn't do what the first would do in a given situation. Then, the second feels bad and succombs to peer pressure. That's all duty is. There is no "higher sense of duty" outside of mere peer pressure. So why are people always so quick to appeal to a sense of duty?

[evearael]

I think duty is rooted in reciprocity between individuals, families and other groups.

[Melody]

Webster's defines duty as:
1. conduct due to parents and superiors (respect)
2. obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group)
3. a moral or legal obligation

I don't think inferiority or superiority has anything to do with duty, nor do I think it is reciprocity.

It is my duty to see to my parents in their old age should they have need of it. This is done out of respect for them.

It is my duty to raise my children to be responsible, law abiding, functioning members of society. It is a moral obligation.

It is my duty, as owner of my business, to make sure the working conditions for my employees are safe and that they are compensated fairly.

Peer pressure isn't duty. Emotional black mail isn't duty.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

What is duty? It's one person thinking another is inferior because the second doesn't do what the first would do in a given situation. Then, the second feels bad and succombs to peer pressure. That's all duty is. There is no "higher sense of duty" outside of mere peer pressure. So why are people always so quick to appeal to a sense of duty?

An interesting question. For me, though, I don't think duty is something one can decide for anyone besides oneself. For example, I see myself as having a duty to the land and the creatures and, as an aspect of that, trying to move past my own dislike of conflict. So, I suppose, appealling to my own 'higher sense of duty' would be me reminding myself that disagreeing with people is unpleasant, but that I have a responsibility to still honor my own self by disagreeing with them. I cannot understand trying to tell others what their duty is, as the only one who can (in my opinion) tell you what your duty is is yourself.

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by aqualung

So why are people always so quick to appeal to a sense of duty?

Social cohesion.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Melody

Webster's defines duty as:

Interestingly, I don't define my beliefs by a dictionary.

[d.]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

There is no "higher sense of duty"

no. so what?

[Aqualung]

Sew buttons.

[d.]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Sew buttons.

again - do you feel there is any special implications, consequences or conclusions to draw from that statement?