kohustuslikkus

Kohustuslikkus, or obligatori­ness, is a concept describing the quality or state of being obligatory. It denotes that certain actions, rules, or conditions are required rather than optional, by legal mandates, social norms, or ethical expectations. The term combines the Estonian word kohustus (duty or obligation) with the suffix -likkus to form an abstract noun.

In law, kohustuslikkus refers to legal obligations that impose duties with consequences for non-compliance, such as paying taxes, following traffic laws, or fulfilling contract terms. In society and professional life, it also covers normative obligations arising from social roles, codes of conduct, or professional ethics, which may exist even in the absence of formal sanctions. Moral or ethical kohustuslikkus describes duties that individuals feel compelled to perform based on personal beliefs, values, or communal standards.

Kohustuslikkus is often contrasted with voluntariness or facultative action. It can shape behavior by creating expectations, influencing compliance, and restricting freedom of choice in specific contexts. Debates around kohustuslikkus frequently concern balancing respect for autonomy with the need for order, safety, or justice, and they explore how coercion, incentives, or persuasion affect adherence to obligatory norms.

Examples include compulsory education laws, mandatory licensing in professions, and social expectations to fulfill certain responsibilities in family or civic life. In philosophy and sociology, the concept helps analyze why people comply with duties and how obligations interact with individual freedom. See also: kohustus, kohustuslik, obligatory, normative obligation.