A definition of social responsibility

How would you define social responsibility? Polly Chester has asked some of her peers aged between 20 and 70.

As a social worker and humanist, I often ponder upon what is meant by the term social responsibility, and how such a concept can be operationalised. Just like my beloved profession of social work, I feel that social responsibility is a term that escapes a narrow definition, and is characterised by time, place and circumstance.

In order to write this article, I asked some of my peers about their definitions of social responsibility. Among the responses, a few outstanding phrases emerged:

“…Acting in a way that is the most conscious, harmless, helpful and sustainable for the situation. Offering to explain how you see said behaviour as such and inviting conversation.”

“I don’t think social responsibility is universal phenomenon.  I think it depends on conditions such as education, socioeconomic conditions and, perhaps community size. I think that in large impersonal societies, it becomes diffused and non-existent.”

“Putting your rubbish in the bin. Do the Right Thing.”

“Walking the talk. Ideally the compassionate life, acting with holistic, geopolitical awareness.”

“…Social responsibility was the realm of the church in days gone by. Reinforcing norms through doctrine. But I think western societies are moving into a more empathic space where living ethically is becoming more important to people, not because of religious imperative, but due to a kind of humanist, ethical imperative…”

“Being conscious and present in my interactions and how I consume. Understanding my part in our universe.”

“…Leaving the world better than you found it, along with making sure your opinions are intelligent and worth sharing before you do… to be proven wrong and actively seeking this out… realising that the only person in the world who thinks you’re the most important person in the world is you… taking an active role in improving this place.”

The people who answered my question are aged between 20 and 70. They have achieved varying levels of education, are engaged in a broad range of professions, and come from diverse socio-economic circumstances.

Besides the waves of inspiration and warmth that hit me as I read their responses, what I found to be most outstanding about their definitions was not the common themes, but the variations between them, and how much I feel that they are all correct.

There is no singular definition of social responsibility, only a broadening of it; people define social responsibility in relation to their own modus operandi and sphere of existence.

To add my own two cents worth, I’d say that social responsibility is about making decisions in the present moment that are future oriented, knowing that truth, morals and ethics are constantly evolving, being consistently aware that our actions do not exist in isolation, and knowing that individuality is something of a fairy story; that the concept of individualism doesn’t make sense unless it’s in comparison to community, and that the individual would not survive if it weren’t for the context of community.

Being socially responsible encompasses making wise decisions; decisions made for the good of our families and ourselves; decisions that also consider the best interests of our local, national and global communities. Socially responsible people equip themselves to make wise decisions by making note of the best empirical information is available right now, and tread softly on the earth to keep it in good working order for future generations.

Social responsibility is knowing that the establishment, or re-establishment of the human rights of every person is something that every person should be thinking about, and that those of us who are rich in social capital and/or are in positions of power, safety and privilege should be doing everything we can to help restore the balance, rather than maintain the status quo.

Perhaps the most important thing of all about the definition of social responsibility is whether you have taken the time to consider it and can articulate what it means for you, and in turn, what you plan to give back to the planet in return for the opportunity to live your mortal, human life.

The true definition of social responsibility lies within the capacity to define it for yourself and how that definition translates into social action.