Definition of Social Responsibility
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Florencia Ucha, in Mar. 2010
Mutual commitment among the members of a community to observe and respect norms
Is named Responsibility Social to obligation/ commitment that the members of a certain community, society, either individually each, or as part of a social group, they will have among themselves, as well as with the society or community as a whole.
The importance that the private and public sector intervene in this interaction
This responsibility may imply needs that are demanded by society and that are highly anticipated, because probably many of them are basic, activities, among others. Meanwhile, this responsibility is important to be promoted from all sectors and levels. The state must occupy a primary role in this regard, developing policies that are later imitated by others, and the private sector, further to act in search of economic benefits in most cases, you must be aware that you must also contribute in this appearance.
A clear example that we can cite in this regard is that in the development of your professional activity and obtaining profits, do not forget the
environment and their care. That it seeks its growth, but not at the expense of the natural environment, damaging it or putting certain risks resources exhausted in the future.Another way in which the private sector can contribute its grain of sand in terms of responsibility is through the development of foundations and organizations that depend on companies and whose purpose is to assist the community in specific problems, for example in the field of health, offering care and containment to vulnerable sectors and that as such demand a comprehensive health solution for their problems.
Meanwhile, this responsibility can have two forms, on the one hand it can be negative, that is, there is someone's responsibility to refrain from acting, or failing that, it can be positive, implying that there is a responsibility on the part of someone from Act.
For example, when any of us who are part of a society drive a car We assume an obligation that is to try to go over it, respecting all the signs and indications of transit; outright because the action of driving, if performed without the relevant social responsibility that corresponds can cause serious damage to the rest of the individuals that are part of it and not to mention what can happen to us ourselves if we practice it irresponsibly, the very life of all and our own can be in serious risk if look at one conduct reckless driving.
At present, although social responsibility is considered a normative but not mandatory concept, in no way can this be a justification to avoid observing certain situations such as those mentioned. What prevails in this sense is the idea of a social contract signed between the different actors of the society, who undertake to act responsibly without causing harm to others with their Actions. In other words, even if certain things are not written, it is expected that some actions are carried out and observed so as not to complicate the lives of our compatriots.
Origin of the concept
But the concept is not new at all, it has been very present since the times of the Greek philosophers and the Roman Empire, inclusive. In those times it was clear that man has certain duties to fulfill for himself and also towards the society in which he inhabits, while, to govern this question, the straight law of reason, which will impel men to fulfill the pertinent duties and avoid evil.
And moving a little further in time we must highlight the role that Christianity has had in the development and promotion of social responsibility. Christianity proposes never to forget who we have next to us, that their success, their salvation is also ours and Likewise, the figure of the neighbor, of the other, of the one who is at our side and of the one who will come in the future. Even Christianity always takes care to protect it.