Duty

A duty (from 'due' meaning 'that which is owing'; Old French: deu, did, past participle of devoir; Latin: debere, debitum, whence 'debt') is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general or if certain circumstances arise. A duty may arise from a system of ethics or morality, especially in an honor culture. Many duties are created by law, sometimes including a codified punishment or liability for non-performance. Performing one's duty may require some sacrifice of self-interest. A duty (from 'due' meaning 'that which is owing'; Old French: deu, did, past participle of devoir; Latin: debere, debitum, whence 'debt') is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general or if certain circumstances arise. A duty may arise from a system of ethics or morality, especially in an honor culture. Many duties are created by law, sometimes including a codified punishment or liability for non-performance. Performing one's duty may require some sacrifice of self-interest. Cicero, an early Roman philosopher who discusses duty in his work “On Duty', suggests that duties can come from four different sources: The specific duties imposed by law or culture vary considerably, depending on jurisdiction, religion, and social norms. Duty is also often perceived as something owed to one’s country (patriotism), or to one's homeland or community. Civic duties could include: Specific obligations arise in the services performed by a minister of a church, by a soldier, or by any employee or servant.