Zurechenbar

Zurechenbar is a German adjective used to describe that an action or its outcome can be attributed to a particular person or agent. The term is common in law, philosophy, and everyday language when discussing responsibility, accountability, or blame. The corresponding noun form is Zurechenbarkeit, referring to the quality or condition of being imputable.

Etymologically, zurechnen means to attribute or ascribe, with the suffix -bar indicating that something is capable of being the object of attribution. In usage, zurechenbar signals a normative or causal connection between an actor and a result that makes responsibility plausible or appropriate.

In legal contexts, Zurechenbarkeit denotes imputability or liability. Courts assess whether a defendant’s behavior is legally imputable by examining factors such as a causal link between conduct and consequence, the actor’s control over the action, and the presence of fault or breach of duty. Some legal traditions differentiate causal (objective) Zurechenbarkeit from normative or culpable (subjective) Zurechenbarkeit, where foreseeability, intent, or negligence influence whether liability attaches.

In philosophy and ethics, Zurechenbarkeit concerns moral responsibility. An agent is considered zurechenbar if they possess the agency, freedom, and awareness necessary to deserve praise or blame for their actions. This notion interacts with debates on determinism, autonomy, and excuses or justifications that might lessen or remove culpability.

In ordinary language, the term is used to indicate that a behavior or outcome is attributable to someone, often implying accountability. The concept is central to discussions of responsibility across legal, moral, and social domains.