verantwortbare

Verantwortbare is a term that appears primarily in German-language ethics and philosophy. It is not a common everyday adjective or noun, but can be used in academic contexts to refer to things that are morally or practically capable of being held accountable or justified. In this sense, das Verantwortbare denotes the domain or class of actions, decisions, or states that can or should be attributed to someone as worthy of responsibility.

Linguistically, verantwortbar is a rarely used adjective meaning “able to be responsible” or “justifiable,” while das Verantwortbare can function as a nominalized form related to such a meaning. It sits alongside standard terms like Verantwortung (responsibility), Verantwortlichkeit (accountability, liability), and verantwortungsbewusstein (sense of responsibility). The exact nuance of Verantwortbare depends on the author: it may indicate what is appropriate to be held responsible for, or what can be defended as legitimate to attribute to a person or institution.

Usage and interpretation vary. In ethical debates, the concept may help delineate the boundaries of accountability, for example in discussions about responsibility for technological or organizational outcomes. In legal contexts, it might be used to distinguish actions that are legally attributable from those that are not. Because it is not a widely standardized term, writers often clarify its intended sense or substitute more common terms.

See also: Verantwortung, Verantwortlichkeit, Verantwortungsbewusstsein, Accountability.