Final answer:
Personal responsibility is best described as how one acts when no one is watching, indicating a deeply ingrained sense of accountability and adherence to one's own moral and ethical standards, even in the absence of external observation or legal obligation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personal responsibility fundamentally involves the idea of taking individual accountability for one's own actions and decisions. This concept is central to the way we interact within society and leads to the construction of our moral and ethical codes. Among the given options, the one that BEST describes personal responsibility is 'How you act even if no one is watching.' This speaks to the intrinsic aspect of personal responsibility that is guided by one's conscience and moral compass, rather than external rules or obligations.
Personal responsibility may provide the basis for an individual's code of ethics, reflecting moral development and the establishment of personal values. In professions that have a direct impact on society, such as engineering or medicine, professionals are often bound by codes of ethics issued by their respective organizations, which dictate the manner in which they should act responsibly within their professional capacity. These codes often reflect broader societal norms and values and indicate a level of professional responsibility expected within those fields.
It is important to note that personal liberty plays a significant role in personal responsibility, as it allows individuals the freedom to make choices and assume responsibility for those choices. Governments and societies may enforce laws and policies, but the scope of personal responsibility goes beyond legal compliance and delves into the realm of ethical conduct and individual moral decision-making.