Everyone has been blessed with special talents, gifts, and abilities. While some of these gifts are born, others are acquired during the course of one’s life. One person could be good at playing an instrument while another person could be good at sports or can work well with their hands. One can also be gifted with the ability to teach others with understanding, patience, and cheerfulness. Even as many people show that they have different talents and abilities, the main question is whether people are obligated and have a duty to make use of those talents. The analysis of the works of different authors shows that people have a duty and are obligated to develop their talents for the blessings of others.
The parable of the talents specifically shows that God has blessed everyone with gifts and abilities and thus expects them to use it for the benefit of others. In the parable, the one that was considered a wicked and lazy slave had slept on his talent out of fear of using it. The talent was taken from him and given to another individual that had used it appropriately (Schwen & Bass, 2006). This shows that everyone is morally obligated to make use of their talents and abilities and multiply them by being a blessing to others. One should make use of their talents regardless of how insignificant or small they may appear to be. God has thus given everyone the duty to cultivate their own talents. Apart from simply making use of one’s special gifts, one should also ensure that they use their time and abilities in a manner that would be beneficial.
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The readings of Immanuel Kant also show why everyone is obligated to develop their talents and use for the benefit of others. Immanuel Kant builds his argument from categorical imperative by observing that one should act from the maxim where one’s actions should become a universal law. Kant (2006) observes that even though some people may live in idleness and not use their talents, these people may not desire that such behavior becomes a universal law. The observation is thus that every person desires to act as a rational being and should thus develop his own abilities for the benefit of others. The observations of Kant also show that it is the duty of every person to develop their talents because they benefit from the talents of other individuals in one way or another. Therefore, it is only good that one engages in actions that should also be beneficial for others.
The film “Good Will Hunting” also explores why it is important that every individual develops their unique talents and abilities. In the film, Will resists making use of his mathematical abilities because of his fear of failures. However, he has a conversation with Chuckie who challenges Will by telling him that he owes his friends to make the most of the opportunities which they may never have (“Good Will Hunting”, 1997). The statement shows that Will does not owe his abilities to himself but to others. It is thus his obligation to cultivate his talents in a way that is going to be for the benefit of others.
In conclusion, the analysis showed that everyone is morally obligated and has a duty to pursue their talents and abilities in a way that would be beneficial to others. The parable in the Bible emphasizes the moral obligation that God expects of everyone that has talents and abilities to develop them and use it for the benefit of others. Kant also observes the universal law and this shows that everyone is ethically obligated to develop their talents to help others as they are enjoying how other people have used their talents. The film “Good Will Hunting” also emphasizes this by stating that one does not owe their abilities to himself but to others.
References
Schwen, M. R., & Bass, D. C. (Eds.). (2006). Immanuel Kant – Grounding for the Metaphysics of morals. Leading lives that matter: What we should do and who we should be . Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Kant, I. (2006). GROUNDING FOR THE METAPHYSICS OE MORALS. In Leading lives that matter: What we should do and who we should be . Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
“ Good Will Hunting”. (1997). Retrieved from http://dml.regis.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdigitalcampus.swankmp.net%2Fregis286902%2Fwatch%3Ftoken%3D5449524ff9567745222a739409670b191e05dc718334b3771b5748b54d3938d4
