Interesting quotes from ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’:
Uncle Ben: You’re a lot like your father. You really are, Peter, and that’s a good thing. But your father lived by a philosophy, a principle really. He believed that… that if you could do good things for other people, you had a moral obligation to do those things. That’s what at stake here. Not a choice, responsibility.
Comments: That’s another take on the famous ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ quote. There are more subtle ideas implied though… Whatever good we can do, we should. Even if one does not have great power, with whatever little power we have, there is still corresponding responsibility. However, existentially, this responsibility is really always like a choice – it is taken up willingly; not in an obliged way, and it has to be sustained in an ongoing manner. As we know, Spider-man feels drained at times, but he never gives up.
Uncle Ben: Peter? I’m sorry for what happened earlier. I know things have been rough for you. I think I know what you’re feeling. You’ve been going through a lot of difficult things, with not having your father and all. Well, take it from an old man. Those things send us down a road. And I know that whatever road you’ll end up on, you’ve got great things waiting for you, son. So, come on home, Peter. You’re my hero, and I love you.
Comments: Everything good, bad or neutral we experience send us down roads, according to how we interpret and learn from them. Any road undertaken will lead to greatness only if it is chosen for furthering compassion and wisdom. This we know Peter eventually does, which makes him a true hero.
Gwen: That’s not your job [to prevent Dr Conners from harming others].
Peter: Maybe it is.
Comments: It can always be your self-appointed duty to do what you can to help whenever you can do something.