Where Do Moral Obligations Come from?

A moral obligation or duty is a course of action that is morally required. Obligations arise from many sources--from one's promises, agreements and contracts, and from one's relationships, debts of gratitude, and roles.

What makes a moral obligation?

MORAL OBLIGATION. A duty which one owes, and which he ought to perform, but which he is not legally bound to fulfill. 2. ... Those founded on a natural right; as, the obligation to be charitable, which can never be enforced by law.

What are examples of moral obligations?

For example, one may have a moral obligation to help a friend, to support a parent in old age, or to minimally respect another's autonomy as a moral agent. We can succeed in meeting, or fail to fulfil, our moral obligations.