When We Abandon Responsibility: The Ripple Effect on Society

In our last discussion, we explored how avoiding personal responsibility creates problems. But what happens when *many* people do this? How does this "bad faith" mindset shape our governments and societies?  

A Simple Example: Who’s Responsible for What We Eat?

Adults are responsible for the food they choose to eat. We’re also responsible for learning enough about nutrition to make decent choices. If we develop health problems after years of poor eating, that’s *on us*.  

Now, does that mean it’s entirely our *fault*? Not necessarily. Our upbringing, emotional ties to food, and even food marketing play a role. But *fault* and *responsibility* aren’t the same. **We may not control how we were raised, but we do control how we eat now.**  

Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre argued that freedom comes with anxiety—because with choice comes responsibility. When it comes to food, we have two options:  

1. **Accept responsibility**—make conscious, healthy choices.  

2. **Deny freedom**—eat poorly and blame someone else.  

The Blame Game: How We Shift Responsibility

When people don’t want to take ownership of their eating habits, where does the blame go?  

Option 1: Blame Parents

*"My parents fed me junk food, so now I can’t stop!"*  

Yes, childhood habits shape us—but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless to change. **Refusing responsibility means refusing freedom—and growth.**  

Option 2: Blame Corporations & Government

*"If food companies didn’t sell sugary snacks, I wouldn’t eat them!"*  

It’s true that food marketing can be manipulative, and governments *do* have a role in public health. But if we demand that *they* fix *our* choices, we’re giving up our own agency.  

The Domino Effect on Society

What happens when millions of people adopt this mindset?  

- **Government grows bigger.** If people demand laws to "protect them from themselves," politicians respond—with more regulations, more bureaucracy, and higher taxes.  

- **Personal freedom shrinks.** The more responsibility we hand over, the more control we lose.  

- **Nothing really changes.** Laws can restrict junk food, but if people still *want* it, they’ll find ways around the rules.  

This pattern repeats in **healthcare, education, finances, and environmental policy**. Yes, governments *should* create fair systems—but if individuals refuse to take *any* responsibility, progress stalls.  

What’s Next?

We’ve seen how dodging responsibility impacts society. But what does it do to *us* as individuals? That’s where we’re headed next.