Word of the Day
November 19, 2020
Responsibility
The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone; the obligation to satisfactorily perform or complete a task; moral accountability for one’s actions.
From Latin 'respondere' meaning 'to respond or answer,' combined with the suffix '-ibility' denoting capacity or ability. The word emerged in the 18th century to describe the moral obligation to answer for one's conduct.
Usage Examples
- Personal responsibility is the foundation of a free society, enabling individuals to govern their own affairs without coercion.
- The government cannot eliminate personal responsibility without also eliminating freedom itself.
- Responsibility to family and community helped Jordan Peterson recover from his health crisis.
From the Show
The concept of responsibility emerged early in the November 19, 2020 broadcast as Kim Monson contrasted the dignity of personal accountability with political promises that absolve citizens of their obligations.