Full Idea
In keeping with what was generally assumed in their culture, Stoics thought obligations are determined by role or function.
Gist of Idea
For Stoics, obligations are determined by social role
Source
comment on Stoic school (fragments/reports [c.200 BCE]) by Richard Taylor - Virtue Ethics: an Introduction Ch.8
Book Reference
Taylor,Richard: 'Virtue Ethics: an Introduction' [Prometheus 2002], p.48
A Reaction
We still recognise our obligations as partly in what-we-are-paid-to-do, but that is a contractual obligation. We also accept obligations arising from a family role, such as 'parent'. We are merely no longer impressed by traditional aristocratic hierarchy.