Often when people ask, “Who is responsible?” they mean, “Who is to blame?”
But responsibility is not the same as blame. And so in some psychotherapies (the one’s I like best) people speak of responsibility being ‘response-ability’ – your responsibility is your ability to respond. (If you can’t respond then you aren’t responsible).
This can lead to a life-time’s exploration of what it is that we can do – to improve our own lives and the world around us. I have called this, on my latest post on the Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life blog The Adventure of Response-ability, I hope you like it, Evan.
Related posts:
- Not Taking it Personally and Personal Responsibility
- Different Jobs, Equal Responsibility
- Three Ideas To Help Us Be Responsible
- Rehabilitating Personal Growth
Tags: response-ability, responsibility
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Very interesting article. It kept me thinking about responsibility isn’t the same as guilt and shame which is actually taking too much, or all, responsibility which isn’t the same.
Hi CC, yes not the same at all. I really like your thought that guilt and shame are taking too much responsibility. I’ll need to think about that more. If you have more to say I’d like to hear it. Thanks for your comment.
Congratulations on your new website! I’m glad it will make the administration easier!
I’ve changed your link on my blogroll . . .
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
Many thanks. Evan
Thats a different way to look at an age old problem. I think in modern society we are very inclined to think that responsibility is synonymous to blame, and I think this article highlights the differences very well. Its a good reminder for me to use the two terms differently!
Thanks Yu.
Hi Evan – I love your new blog. Isn’t it funny how people equate responsibility with blame. I guess that’s why so many avoid taking responsibility for what happens in their lives.
Hi Cath, glad you like the new blog. That’s a good connection that I hadn’t made – blame being the reason people avoid responsibility. Many thanks for your comment.
Short by straight-forward article… Like it!
Actually when people start taking responsibility for their lives, but without blaming themselves for the things that they don’t control, is when the whole magic start to happens!!!
Well done!
Thanks Goran. Like you I do think it can be magic. Thanks for your comment.