responsabilis

Responsibilis is a Latin adjective meaning "able to respond" or "responsible," and in classical usage it describes a person who bears responsibility for actions or who can be relied upon to answer for duties. The term is primarily attested in historical or theological texts rather than as a modern technical term.

Etymology and context: Responsibilis is formed from respondere, to answer, with the suffix -bilis meaning "able to be." In Latin, the word participates in a broader field of terms related to obligation, duty, and accountability. Its modern descendants appear in many Romance languages and through them have influenced English vocabulary and legal and ethical discourse.

Semantic scope: In philosophy and ethics, the concept relates to moral agency and accountability—the idea that an agent is responsible when they have freedom of action, knowledge of consequences, and the capacity to understand duties. In legal contexts, responsibility concerns attribution of duties, liability, and blame for outcomes, often requiring analysis of intent and control.

Modern usage: The Latin term itself is rarely used outside scholarly or etymological discussion, but the underlying notion persists across disciplines such as ethics, law, management, and public policy. The idea of responsibility underpins notions of responsible governance, professional accountability, and social obligations, even as contemporary terminology has evolved.

See also: Responsibility, Moral agency, Liability, Accountability, Agency.