Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Obligation.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Obligation.jpg|right|frame]]

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

==Defiinitions==

==Defiinitions==

*1 : the [[action]] of obligating oneself to a [[course]] of [[action]] (as by a [[promise]] or vow)

*1 : the [[action]] of obligating oneself to a [[course]] of [[action]] (as by a [[promise]] or vow)

*4 : something one is bound to do : [[duty]], [[responsibility]]

*4 : something one is bound to do : [[duty]], [[responsibility]]

==Description==

==Description==

An '''obligation''' is a requirement to take some [[course]] of [[action]], whether [[legal]] or [[moral]]. There are also obligations in other [[normative]] [[contexts]], such as obligations of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette etiquette], [[social]] obligations, and possibly in terms of [[politics]], where obligations are requirements which must be fulfilled. These are generally [[legal]] obligations, which can incur a [[penalty]] for unfulfilment, although certain people are obliged to carry out certain [[actions]] for other reasons as well, whether as a [[tradition]]  or for [[social]] reasons. Obligations vary from [[person]] to person: for example, a person holding a [[political]] office will generally have far more obligations than an average adult [[citizen]], who themselves will have more obligations than a child. Obligations are generally granted in return for an increase in an [[individual]]’s rights or [[power]].

An '''obligation''' is a requirement to take some [[course]] of [[action]], whether [[legal]] or [[moral]]. There are also obligations in other [[normative]] [[contexts]], such as obligations of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette etiquette], [[social]] obligations, and possibly in terms of [[politics]], where obligations are requirements which must be fulfilled. These are generally [[legal]] obligations, which can incur a [[penalty]] for unfulfilment, although certain people are obliged to carry out certain [[actions]] for other reasons as well, whether as a [[tradition]]  or for [[social]] reasons. Obligations vary from [[person]] to person: for example, a person holding a [[political]] office will generally have far more obligations than an average adult [[citizen]], who themselves will have more obligations than a child. Obligations are generally granted in return for an increase in an [[individual]]’s rights or [[power]].

The word "obligation" can also designate a [[written]] obligation, or such [[things]] as bank notes, coins, checks, bonds, stamps, or securities.

The word "obligation" can also designate a [[written]] obligation, or such [[things]] as bank notes, coins, checks, bonds, stamps, or securities.

Common obligations of [[citizens]] include a requirement to [[participate]] as a [[juror]] if called upon and to pay taxes, which is seen as being in return for the [[right]] to [[participate]] in the [[Election|electora]]l [[process]].  

Common obligations of [[citizens]] include a requirement to [[participate]] as a [[juror]] if called upon and to pay taxes, which is seen as being in return for the [[right]] to [[participate]] in the [[Election|electora]]l [[process]].  

==Other uses==

==Other uses==

The term obligate can also be used in a [[biological]] [[context]], in [[reference]] to [[species]] which must occupy a certain niche or behave in a certain way in order to [[survive]]. In biology, the [[opposite]] of obligate is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facultative facultative], [[meaning]] that a [[species]] is able to behave in a certain way and may do so under certain circumstances, but that it can also survive without having to behave this way.  

The term obligate can also be used in a [[biological]] [[context]], in [[reference]] to [[species]] which must occupy a certain niche or behave in a certain way in order to [[survive]]. In biology, the [[opposite]] of obligate is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facultative facultative], [[meaning]] that a [[species]] is able to behave in a certain way and may do so under certain circumstances, but that it can also survive without having to behave this way.  

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]