With COVID-19 altering life radically worldwide, it seems like a fitting time to examine what our responsibility is to society. To what extent are we obliged to help those around us? 

Social responsibility is a tricky subject to bring up amid a pandemic, but it is also a very relevant and important one. When we stockpile for disasters, our primary focus is largely on protecting our unit. Very quickly, we identify people in our immediate circle and ensure their provisions are provided for. In some cases, this means acting solely for oneself if we don’t belong to a group. Consider the following example. When oxygen masks come down on a plane, you are instructed to put yours on before helping anyone else. But the problem is, some people don’t help others even once their masks are secured. Or what happens when there are only 50 oxygen masks for 100 people? What if there are exactly 100 oxygen masks, but some people want back-ups? When it is appropriate to fend for ourselves or protect our units versus considering what is overall the most ethical choice for the betterment of society?

Mindset is often one of the biggest factors that determine how broadly someone is willing to extend help. Isolated mindsets can cause people to fend for themselves, stocking up with the singular goal in mind of ensuring for his or her survival. Curiously enough, collective mindsets don’t necessarily advocate for the betterment of society. When groups share a pattern of behavior and thinking that fosters group dependency, it is only natural for members of the group to look out for and care for each other. However, the group often views society at large as “othered” and can bear little to no inclination to help people out who are not a part of the predetermined group. The people who are most apt to rise to the occasion and truly help others are, therefore those who are more community-minded. Individuals with strong ties to others and who believe in the overall betterment of the community are likely more inclined to help people outside of their immediate circle. However, they might again be assisting groups that share common interests. This raises the question of whether or not most humans are inclined to give blindly or rather gravitate towards supporting groups that share something in common with them.

To better understand how people act in response to crises, it is helpful to examine the concept of social responsibility. In a business sense, social responsibility denotes that both individuals and companies bear the weight of making decisions that best benefit society in the most inclusive sense. This includes acting in environmentally friendly and socially conscious ways, encompassing the bigger picture over any individual gains. To carry out such an ambitious theory, politics that promote maintaining an ethical balance between profit and societal benefits must be created. Examples of this include philanthropic donations and green initiatives. Therefore, social responsibility does not eliminate the importance of maximizing shareholder profits, though it calls for a balance to be reached between maximizing profit and being mindful of what is in the best benefit of society and the environment. Critics argue that social responsibility does not have a place in the business sector, as looking out for the greater good is in direct conflict with maximizing profits. Overall, companies (and people) have to determine their hierarchies of needs. Is success worth it if it is at the cost of the environment or those around you?

The same ethical question is posed when examining social responsibility in our own lives. In truth, it is almost always easier to act with selfish intent. Only looking out for oneself removes a lot of difficulties, but it is also an isolating and unrewarding position to take. Of course, some people don’t care. They are solely focused on their gain. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who base all of their actions on giving back to others, which is beautiful in theory, but can end up wearing oneself out. A balance needs to be created so that we are not depleting ourselves for the service of others, though of course, some people don’t have a choice. For example, doctors and first responders are currently exhausting themselves and even losing their lives to treat COVID-19 patients. At the same time, you have the other end of society who is refusing to forgo spring break and is unapologetically unbothered by the disease spread. Some people take their social responsibility very seriously and will lay down their lives to seek betterment. But there are always some who will risk countless lives to bask in hedonistic and entirely self-serving pleasures. Unfortunately, those who care might have to work a little harder to make up the difference for those who do not.

How much are we willing to sacrifice for the good of society? Well, that depends. How much are we able to offer? An easy excuse for forgoing social duty is believing the responsibility can fall on someone else. However, for society to operate with optimum welfare, each individual must contribute to their social duties. Individuals in more esteemed positions might have more to offer fiscally, but no matter who you are, you can fulfill social responsibility by being more conscientious. At the current times, that might involve donating to charities, buying meals for those in need, giving supplies to frontline workers, or simply taking just what you need so that there is enough for everyone else. Though it might be tempting to focus more on ourselves when the opportunity to hoard goods arises, we simply have to consider the larger scale of our implications. Realistically, it seems irrational to expect anyone else to help us out of our difficult times if we are not willing to help others out when we have the means to. Making the most ethical choice is certainly not the easiest or most convenient option, but it will create the best long-term positive impact.

When it comes down to it, social responsibility, like most things in life, relies on striking a balance. To come to an individual conclusion on how to manage obligations, decide what is worth sacrificing for and how much of yourself you can give. Remember that to give back, we need to first nourish ourselves, though it is critical to be mindful of our social responsibility during such dire times. That means forgoing some of the things we want to allow other people to also have goods, or perhaps it involves donating money if you are in a position to do so. Fortunately, at the current time, many of us can simply stay at home to best protect both society and ourselves. However, for the situations in which both goals cannot be so clearly met, we have to determine the overall most beneficial compromise.