{"id":106969,"date":"2019-12-09T15:49:53","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T14:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=106969"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:37","slug":"philosophy-student-alex-helping-is-my-kantian-obligation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2019\/12\/09\/philosophy-student-alex-helping-is-my-kantian-obligation\/","title":{"rendered":"Philosophy student Alex: helping is my ‘Kantian obligation\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Extra subjects? Unpaid internships for work experience? Multiple board positions? Anything to spice up your CV? These students spend their spare time helping people. In our first episode: you can regularly find Alex at the blood bank.<\/p>\n

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Alex Becker<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cWhen was the last time I donated? I was afraid you\u2019d ask that, but I can\u2019t remember. When I was filling in the questionnaire, the sticker said this was my 49th<\/sup> donation.\u201d Every three weeks, third-year Philosophy student Alex Becker donates plasma at the blood bank in his home town of Spijkenisse. As we talk, we\u2019re asked six times round whether he really doesn\u2019t want a drink. Alex opts for green tea, and they add a glass of water.<\/p>\n

Full blood folks<\/h2>

\u201cThat\u2019s why I keep coming back \u2013 for all the positive attention,\u201d jokes Alex (33). \u201cThey take real good care of me here.\u201d His blood is siphoned off through a tube to a device next to his chair. This filters his blood: so Alex gets back all the blood cells. The transparent liquid with a yellow glow, the plasma (820 ml of liquid and proteins), goes into a bag for donation.<\/p>\n

People who give blood are called a few times a year; plasma donors are welcome to donate more often. They have to stay in the chair a bit longer too \u2013 easily half an hour longer than the \u2018full blood folks\u2019, as Alex refers to them. Alex\u2019s red blood cells are returned to him a few times in the 45 minutes or so that he remains seated. \u201cIt feels a bit weird; you can feel that it has cooled off slightly.\u201d The only thing left in the tray holding his blood a moment ago is some red froth.<\/p>\n

Obligation<\/h2>

Alex sees it as his \u2018Kantian obligation\u2019 to donate plasma \u2013 as would any self-respecting Philosophy student, of course. According to the philosopher Kant, freedom and autonomy are inextricably connected with moral action. Which is why Alex decided to register with a blood bank after a discussion about organ and blood donation. After all, if he ever were to need blood, he would like people to donate for him too.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, they\u2019ve asked Alex whether he wants a glac\u00e9. \u201cOr maybe something else \u2013 a stroopwafel<\/em> perhaps?\u201d He politely declines: none of the items on the menu appeal to him as a vegan. \u201cAfter being confronted with the abuses that go on in the meat and dairy industry, I couldn\u2019t avoid becoming vegan,\u201d he explains. \u201cDuring my last donation, the Hb valuein my blood was so high that they remarked that I \u2018must have eaten a lot of steak\u2019. Effectively dispelling the myth that vegans are so malnourished they can\u2019t do anything. I rather enjoyed that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Alex Becker<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

After finishing, Alex feels \u2018a bit drowsy, but fine apart from that.\u2019 He often goes to the gym on Mondays, including after donations. Although he does take it a bit easier than usual: some cardio, no weights. In December, his time is taken up by his studies, some extra electives and the Logic exam: a second-year subject that he still needs to get a pass mark for. Studying, lectures, more studying and his weekly evening of board games with friends \u2013 that\u2019s Alex\u2019s schedule for the day.<\/p>\n

Before leaving, Alex sets an appointment for his next donation: the big 5-O. He\u2019s expected back at the blood bank on 23 December at 8:30 in the morning. It may take a bit longer before he returns for his 51st<\/sup>, because he\u2019s planning another tattoo. After getting a tattoo, you have to wait four months before you\u2019re allowed to give blood or plasma.<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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