Responsibility at the beginning of the third millennium

Responsibility is a construct which has a long tradition and is not only important today, but also for future generations. The construct of responsibility developed during the past centuries from the so-called classical perspective, namely being responsible for something which has happened in the past, up to a more general ethical perspective which involves being responsible for the consequences of one’s behaviour, which may not even be foreseeable (Bayertz, 1995; Birnbacher, this volume; Rohpohl, 1994; Weber, 1919/1968). Modern approaches that are influenced by the earlier tradition, dating back to Greek philosophy, emphasise, for example, attribution of responsibility, accountability and guilt and punishment (Lerner and Tetlock, 1999; Shaver, 1985; Weiner, this volume).