Chapter 4 Loyalty

Loyalty is part of the social contract when we are deciding to whom or what we should be loyal to. We may be forced to choose between different loyalties, which I know I have had to do during my time at college. I am very loyal to myself and to my goals because life is supposed to be about catching your biggest fish. Honestly I have always gone about things my own way and despised school and any type of environment that was governed by rules and authority. I did not willingly want to be loyal to school and give my time to things like homework and studying.

Loyalty also has limits within people, how far I am willing to go for what I am loyal towards is different than someone else. I am very determined and loyal but I will not do something that is morally wrong to accomplish something.

Royce believed that being loyal was being devoted to a cause or person. He also said that your loyalty shouldn't only be to yourself. This is something I have trouble doing because I feel that young college students should carve out the time to be completely devoted to yourself and to point yourself in the direction of your dreams. I think being selfish can have negative connotations but I also think that the people who have been extremely successful in life have taken the initiative to believe in themselves and work solely on themselves.

Loyalty as an ethical guide has problems. A cause that is worthy of loyalty should harmonize with the loyalties of the community. This is a noble idea but I also don't think realistically people form loyalties based on the greater good of the world. I think they are personal and more self centered.

William May also discussed the four types of loyalties: 1. Loyalties arising from shared humanity, 2. Loyalties arising from professional practice 3. Loyalties arising from employment, 4. Loyalties arising from the media's role in public life. These are idealistic values that aren't easily adopted.