Key Difference – Obligation vs Responsibility
Obligation and responsibility are two terms often considered similar, but there is a key difference between them. Obligation refers to actions that must be fulfilled or performed, while responsibility refers to an action for which you are accountable.
What is an Obligation?
An obligation is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound. It compels an individual to follow or avoid a specific course of action. However, this person fulfills this obligation due to an agreement, contract, or rules and regulations, not because of choice. The term obligation is often used in legal and other formal contexts.
What is a Responsibility?
Responsibility refers to something for which one is responsible. It is something that it is your job or duty to deal with, and you are accountable for these tasks. For example, parents are responsible for the welfare of their children. Responsibility can also refer to a moral obligation to behave correctly towards something.
What is the difference between Obligation and Responsibility?
The main difference between obligation and responsibility lies in their definitions. Obligation is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound, while responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or having control over someone. Obligation compels a person to follow or avoid a particular course of action, and responsibility ensures that the person involved is accountable for the relevant task.
