What is responsibility? The definition of responsibility is, "The responsibility to act." A responsibility is an expectation or commitment to do something when certain circumstances arise or even if for no reason at all. In other words, every person has responsibilities, whether personal or professional.
A responsible person takes care of himself. He does not let his feelings get in the way of taking care of others. For example, if you are placing a vehicle on a public road, it is your responsibility to keep it well maintained and in good condition. Many jobs require taking care of the property that they work on, and this also falls under the category of responsibility.
A person with strong moral fiber is responsible and expects others to be as responsible. This applies to career, relationships, and their place in society. A moral compass helps them avoid harming others that might result in negative consequences. Taking care of ones moral character can be a way of life because it builds a strong foundation that will carry them through difficult times and can eventually lead them to greater things.
Two major theories exist regarding responsibility. The first theory, moral responsibility, considers the obligation to be a good person. It further describes three types of personal responsibility. The responsibility to others consists of co-responsibility, which consists of being a caretaker; self-responsibility, which involves one's own action; and self-esteem, which involves one's relationship to their own ability and motivation to succeed. All three theories are important to successful living, but there are additional responsibilities that come with being a responsible individual.
Co-responsibility refers to an association that links one's actions to those of others. Humans naturally assume a responsibility for those within their social network. For example, parents and caretakers assume a responsibility for their children by aiding in their development and helping them with their daily routine. In addition, people that are financially secure may have a responsibility to other individuals by taking on a financial responsibility or paying taxes. The second main responsibility theory is self-responsibility, which entails one's own personal action to determine the results of their actions. For example, an individual may feel the need to protect the environment by going green or minimizing their personal carbon footprint.
The third theory of responsibility, self-esteem, emphasizes the individual's ability to control the results of their own actions. Self-control is an essential element of responsibility. When individuals lack self-control, they can fall into the emotional trap of responding to situations based on their emotions rather than logic. In addition, an inability to control oneself often leads to the inability to make responsible decisions. Individuals that understand and control their emotions are less likely to experience problems and more likely to achieve the results they desire.
The fourth theory of responsibility, the ethic of responsibility, emphasizes that certain behaviors are morally wrong and others are morally right. According to this belief, a person is morally responsible for what they do rather than what they omit from doing. Ethical responsibility also includes the duty to take responsibility for one's own actions and those of others. The fifth belief is that individuals have certain responsibilities for the things they create and the things that happen to them. This responsibility means that individuals must respect the lives of others and be morally responsible for their acts.
As you can see, each theory of responsibility has different characteristics that lead to a conclusion about what an individual is not responsible for. Individuals will typically claim that they are morally responsible if they exercise self-control or use personal space in a way that others would not expect. Individuals may also exercise responsibility by taking responsibility for the things that occur to them and the lives they create. Finally, parents may expect that children take responsibility for their own actions and that they live up to the expectations of others. The question of who is responsible for something will always remain until an individual answer honestly. The best way to determine who is responsible is for an individual to examine all of the situations that they are in and ask themselves what responsibility they feel they have.
