Responsibility in Actions

Definition Essay on Responsibility

The one thing that we can control in our lives is our personal reactions and actions to the events occurring around us. Do we stand up and speak up about abuse, or sit back as our best friend turns down an offer of a lifetime? We are responsible for our actions. We must take control and stand up for what we believe to be morally right. All throughout history there have been incidents of leaders taking initiative and standing up for what they believe in.

            One Significant Transcendentalist Philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, took on an air of responsibility when he denied support of a war that was not morally just in his mind. He was asked to pay a poll tax that supported the Mexican American War, but because the war was spreading territory that would only future the use of slavery, Thoreau refused.  This is a classic example of responsibility. It was Thoreau’s moral obligation to refuse to pay the poll tax because he did not believe in what it supported. If he had paid the poll tax because the government told him to then this would be an example of cowardice.

Another small instance of responsibility can be seen in William McKinley. During this time Native Cubans were revolting against the once great Empire of Spain. President William McKinley, concerned for Cuba, warned Spain to leave Cuba alone. Finally Congress, not McKinley, declared war against Spain to help the Cubans become free of their tyrannical rulers. While some people would argue that McKinley simply wanted more land for America due to the Teller Amendment Cuban annexation was impossible.  

            While there are many situations where people show their responsibility and maturity there are also plenty of cowardice moments in history. Everyone has a flaw, even the people in the bible. Pontius Pilate’s weakness in the face of a rioting mob calling for Jesus' death, even though he knew of his innocence is the ultimate show of cowardice. Although Pilate had the power to set Jesus free, his fear of insurrection prevented him from making the right moral choice. Cowardice appears to be one of the main themes of many pieces of literature, and society. So maybe the human race as a whole are guilty of it?

            With such chaos going on in our lives, we should control the one thing we have authority over: our actions. The way we respond and learn can define your life. You learn from your and others’ mistakes, however, so cowardice is essential in developing responsibility and bravery in society.