Full Idea
Obligations are only binding on human beings. There are no obligations for collectivities, as such.
Gist of Idea
Obligations only bind individuals, not collectives
Source
Simone Weil (The Need for Roots [1943], I 'Needs')
Book Reference
Weil,Simone: 'The Need for Roots' [Routledge 2002], p.4
A Reaction
I take it that 'as such' excludes the institutions created by collectivities, such as parliaments and courts. A nomadic tribe seems to have no duties, as a tribe, apart from mutual obligations among its members. Does this excuse crimes by the tribe?
Related Idea
Idea 23835 People have duties, and only have rights because of the obligations of others to them [Weil]