Kindness

Mackenzie Marsh

Final post, Section 12

What does it mean to be kind? Perhaps you have an idea of kindness that's different than mine, and perhaps that idea is different from the person next to you. Looking into kindness, is it something that as humans we are born with? Or do we grow into kindness much like we grow into our own selves? Sometimes, in such a world, it is difficult to be kind. I am sure that we have all had a moment where it was much easier to be rude, yet we abstain. Why? We have created this sense of responsibility to be kind to everyone, even if others are not kind to us. Especially if people are not kind to us. We have created the phrase “kill them with kindness” as if kindness is a weapon, but you can also look at kindness as a tool. Being nice to others, and others seeing you as a kind, good-natured person can be helpful to you in so many shapes and forms. In the workplace, at school, or around town, sometimes opening the door for someone, or complimenting some aspect of someone can really make a difference. One could argue that being kind only for the benefit of yourself makes a person “fake”, but even if the kindness can be considered misplaced is it not welcomed regardless? I know many people who would reject this idea of kindness. I would argue that it is difficult to really know if someone is being kind because it is an important aspect of their self, or if they are being kind because of some moral obligation.
Should we be kind always? Is there a point where being rude is a necessity? In Aristotle’s virtues he emphasizes a balance between the two means, and I think that is important to mention here. If you are too kind, people might take advantage of you. On the other hand, being too rude creates isolation. Both can create a loss of respect: if you are too kind you are easy to push around, but if you are too rude you become someone people do not like. This begs the question of whether we should be kind because people say so or if we should be nice simply because it is the right thing to do. I think that always being kind can be exhausting, that there are different levels of kindness. Many people associate niceness with respect. Showing a certain level of kindness with someone indicates that you have a high level of respect for them. It is almost as if kindness can be considered a gift. If you are kind to everyone all the time, is your kindness considered less valued? If you are rude to everyone all the time, does your kindness become more valued?

How is kindness valued? This can be different for every person. Making breakfast for someone, giving someone a gift, opening the door for someone, all of these things can be valued differently. Can a homemade meal for someone be valued differently than a fast-food meal if they were both given to you out of kindness? Kindness seems to become more meaningful when a lot of work is put into the kindness. Donating money can be a great way to be kind, but is it less valued than someone taking that money and physically buying materials to build a shelter for someone? Does the work make the kindness more important? In this way, I feel like it is important to do what you can. I am not knowledgeable about building houses, but I can donate my money to someone who is and is willing to for someone in need. I feel like that does not devalue my kindness if it is in the right place. This goes back to the levels of kindness. In truth, we are all in different stages in life. Maybe you cannot donate your money or time, maybe holding the door for someone or telling someone they did something great today is all you can do. I do not think this should be valued differently than people who donate thousands or go overseas to help. Sometimes you have to value self-kindness over kindness towards others. If it is kind, it is important.

In conclusion, kindness can be many things. It can be a helpful comment, a large gift, a large or small deed for someone, or a few coins that goes to the support of charity. Kindness can be a tool for some people, it can be a burden for others, it can be a moral obligation. It is important for us to be kind when we can, while also being kind to ourselves. In today’s world, it can be really difficult to be kind. People are being dehumanized, told they do not belong, taught they are less valued, sometimes it feels like being kind is not an option. If we could all be kind and respectful, mindful of other people, I believe that the current situation would be a lot better. That a lot of people would be a lot happier and willing to be kind in return. Schopenhauer mentions the origin of loving-kindness in “Schopenhauer's Ethics: Loving-Kindness.”, “...that virtue whose rule is: Omnes, quantum potes, juva (help all people, as far as lies in your power)”


Sources:
“Schopenhauer's Ethics: Loving-Kindness.” Edited by Derrick Everett, Schopenhauer's Ethics: Loving-Kindness, 2019, www.monsalvat.no/caritas.htm.


Mehta, Rani. “The Philosophy of Niceness: Is It Good To Be Nice?” 2015. https://ida.mtholyoke.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10166/3632/RaniMehtaPhilosophyHonorsThesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Discussion:
What is one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for you?
What does kindness mean to you?
How do you value kindness?

Posts I commented on:
https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-philosophy-of-music.html?showComment=1575742064621#c1160144683690928010

https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/12/technology.html