Obligation

Obligation refers to a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral. Obligations are constraints; they limit freedom. People who are under obligations may choose to fulfill them or ignore them. Fulfilling an obligation is usually seen as a duty. In law, an obligation is a duty to act in a certain way.

Types of Obligations

There are different types of obligations, including legal, moral, and social.

Legal Obligation

A legal obligation is an obligation that derives from a legal ruling or contract (both verbal and in writing). It is often called a "duty," especially in professional settings, and may exist as a result of human rights, contract law, criminal law, and property law.

Moral Obligation

A moral obligation is an obligation that comes from morality rather than law. It comes from ethics, not external influences such as laws or commands.

Social Obligation

A social obligation is an obligation that is enforceable by social norms and expectations. These are not legally binding but can carry weight in certain social groups or cultures.

Obligation in Philosophy

In philosophy, obligation is the study of the forms, and the source, of constraints. For example, according to the deontological theories, these constraints could come from God (divine command theory), reason, moral law, or societal norms.

Obligation in Law

In law, an obligation is a duty to act in a certain way. It may exist as a result of a rule of law or order, recognized by a court (i.e., a legal judgment), or by society at large. An obligation is enforceable by legal sanctions.

See Also

• Duty
• Responsibility
• Contract
• Ethics
• Law

Obligation Resources
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