Responsibility: The Necessary Component of Freedom and Power

Everyone knows the famous quote from the 2002 film Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility,” yet many people fail to remember it when making decisions. We must always utilize our own personal power, knowledge, and free will for the good of others when making decisions, even if it may seem like a great impossibility to do so.

Individual Freedoms Require Responsibility 

No matter the political affiliation, no matter the gender, no matter the socio-economic status, the freedoms outlined in the Constitution are always abused. From an alienating and divisive tweet to an unruly and violent protest, so many people throughout the world use their free will for harm.

It falls upon us to be responsible for how we use our own freedoms. Oftentimes it’s a lot easier to use what’s available to us for evil, but we must remain strong and recognize what is morally right from what is morally wrong. 

Would you ever walk across a busy highway without looking? Exactly, which is why we should always think before we act. Our decisions carry great weight and could potentially affect a vast number of people. It’s easier to make a faster, impulsive decision, but the outcome will be incomparable to a decision that was made with long thought and careful consideration. 

Ethics and Accounting 

As I slowly develop within my accounting program at Penn State, I have become aware of the extreme ethical responsibility all accounting/finance individuals carry on their shoulders. In this monetary field of practice, the knowledge gained through education and financial career experience provides everyone in this line of work with immense power. 

As an accounting major and (hopefully) a future auditor, it is my responsibility to use my knowledge and power for the benefit of others in an ethical and legal manner. Taking advantage of and abusing the financial system may rapidly assist my personal gain, but will ultimately do more harm to a great number of people (including myself) in the end. 

I pledge to use my freedoms and power in an ethical and responsible manner with every decision I make.

If you want to learn more about how responsibility and freedom are directly correlated, consider reading this article!

Responsibility and Freedom by John Dewey