1. Responsibility Dr. Tonette S. Rocco March 15, 2006

2. Defining Responsibility *From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The word responsibility means the obligation to answer for actions. Often this means answering to authority. Responsibility is also loosely used as the recognition that in order to achieve one's purposes, one must act oneself ("take responsibility") rather than expecting others to do something (compare initiative). The word responsibility means the obligation to answer for actions. Often this means answering to authority. Responsibility is also loosely used as the recognition that in order to achieve one's purposes, one must act oneself ("take responsibility") rather than expecting others to do something (compare initiative). obligationauthority purposes initiative obligationauthority purposes initiative

3. In ethics, moral responsibility is primarily the responsibility related to actions and their consequences in social relations. It generally concerns the harm caused to an individual, a group or the entire society by the actions or inactions of another individual, group or entire society. This is the mechanism by which blame can be placed, and influences many important social constructs, such as prosecution under the legal system. In ethics, moral responsibility is primarily the responsibility related to actions and their consequences in social relations. It generally concerns the harm caused to an individual, a group or the entire society by the actions or inactions of another individual, group or entire society. This is the mechanism by which blame can be placed, and influences many important social constructs, such as prosecution under the legal system.ethicsmoral responsibilitysocietyprosecution legal systemethicsmoral responsibilitysocietyprosecution legal system

4. Social Responsibility Social responsibility is a doctrine that claims that an entity whether it is state, government, corporation, organization or individual has a responsibility to society. This responsibility can be "negative," in that it is a responsibility to refrain from acting, or it can be "positive," meaning a responsibility to act. Social responsibility is a doctrine that claims that an entity whether it is state, government, corporation, organization or individual has a responsibility to society. This responsibility can be "negative," in that it is a responsibility to refrain from acting, or it can be "positive," meaning a responsibility to act.entitystate governmentcorporationorganization individualentitystate governmentcorporationorganization individual

5. Story Lines in Boston Legal There are two story lines: the homeless man and the kidnapped boy. There are two story lines: the homeless man and the kidnapped boy. As you consider issues of responsibility, think back to the lectures on morality, ethics, supply and demand and how the ideas presented in previous lectures inform your decisions about responsibility. As you consider issues of responsibility, think back to the lectures on morality, ethics, supply and demand and how the ideas presented in previous lectures inform your decisions about responsibility.

6. For the homeless man’s story think about: The individual characters The individual characters Examine Denny Crane and Allen Shore's roles and attitudes in interacting with the homeless man. Examine Denny Crane and Allen Shore's roles and attitudes in interacting with the homeless man. Who acted responsibly? Who acted responsibly? Who was right? Who was wrong? why? Who was right? Who was wrong? why? The firm: What responsibility did the firm have in this interaction? The firm: What responsibility did the firm have in this interaction? Society: What responsibility do we as society have towards the homeless man? Society: What responsibility do we as society have towards the homeless man?

7. For the missing boy’s story think about: The individual characters The individual characters Examine Denise, Brad, the FBI agent, the brother, the priest, and the mother’s roles, and attitudes towards the missing boy. Examine Denise, Brad, the FBI agent, the brother, the priest, and the mother’s roles, and attitudes towards the missing boy. Who acted responsibly? Who acted responsibly? Who was right? Who was wrong? why? Who was right? Who was wrong? why? The firm: What responsibility did the firm have in this interaction? The firm: What responsibility did the firm have in this interaction? Society: What responsibility do we as society have for the missing boy? Society: What responsibility do we as society have for the missing boy?