Scott Alexander examines the concept of infinite debts in personal and societal contexts, proposing a practical approach of paying manageable 'interest' rather than attempting full repayment.
Longer summary
This post explores the concept of infinite debts and their implications in personal relationships and society. Scott starts with an anecdote about a patient wanting her son to take care of her, then extends this to societal obligations. He discusses the problems with both accepting infinite debts and denying them entirely. The post concludes by suggesting a practical middle ground: paying a manageable 'interest' on these debts without trying to clear them entirely. Scott uses examples like caring for elderly parents, societal obligations, and charitable giving to illustrate his points.
Shorter summary