Suppose the same child just happened to be standing near the vase when it toppled from its stand, and that he caught it and prevented it from breaking. Perhaps it fell on top of him as he lay on the floor under the pedestal supporting the vase.

In this case we would have little difficulty in praising the child and claiming that he was responsible for preserving the vase.

Responsibility, however, must be equally applied whether credit or blame is involved.

If the child could be responsibility for preventing a disaster, then he could equally be responsible for causing it, if he did in fact commit the action resulting in the vases destruction.

In neither case is knowledge or understanding of the concept of "responsibility" required for responsibility to occur.

Responsibility is impartial. It is an attribute of the actor, whether blame or credit is involved. The individual is always responsible for what he or she does, whether he or she wishes to be or not, and even when he or she is ignorant of the moral or ethical implications arising from those actions for which he or she is responsible.

However, because men and women are equipped with minds that can reason, they can anticipate the results of their actions.

When the individual realizes that he or she really is responsible for whatever actions he or she takes or attempts, then that person will begin to actively use his or her mind to anticipate the results of his or her actions.