“Whoever acts according to the ethic of responsibility takes into account the foreseeable consequences of his action.”Max Weber · Politica, o vocație · 1919 · paragraful 27
The ethics of responsibility demands anticipating and owning the consequences of your actions.
Weber distinguishes between the ethic of conviction (acting on principles regardless of outcome) and the ethic of responsibility (weighing effects). A responsible politician does not just do what they believe is right but calculates the real impact of their decisions. For example, a minister cutting subsidies to balance the budget must foresee and manage the social consequences.
Why it matters In leadership and everyday life, this distinction helps us evaluate decisions not just by intentions but by their real effects, promoting moral maturity.