Impartiality, Beneficence and Friendship

Maintaining an impartial mindset at all times is a very tough deed. I even think it is impossible. Especially when your family is at stake, when a friend is in need and even harder when it is one's self. Especially now, where crimes can strike anytime and anywhere, it is one's instinct to give kindness and generosity to the "unknown". I remember parents reminding their kids: "don't talk to strangers".

The parable of the good Samaritan is an example of partiality when a priest saw the robbed and wounded man. It is disappointing that a man of faith declined to help someone when an opportunity to help was needed. While the Samaritan, did everything to make sure that the poor wounded man recovers and heals.

In one way or another, the morality of a person can be challenged if he or she decides to be impartial or not. In our real world, this is especially to professional people like doctors, lawyers, politicians and other persons in authority. When these persons became more attached to giving more favor, providing better service or being more honest to people that they just know or like, then there is a violation on their conduct for being partial for taking other people for granted.

What impartiality seems to require is not that everyone receive equal treatment, but rather that everyone must be treated as a person, with respect and acceptance. Since it is very hard to do exactly the same benevolence to somebody, at least one must remember to treat his fellowmen in accordance with what rights he or she have, what legitimate claims they put forward, and, in general, with what that that person deserve.