Reason versus Excuse...

[SIPNGAS]

what IS the difference?

The two seem like they could be used in place of the other...but I think a reason given by someone could sound like an excuse to another. And an excuse isn't always a bad thing, but it sort of has the that feel.

Thoughts?

[SailDesign]

A reason is the "Why did you do this?" thing. There is only one answer.
An excuse is the public front you put on the reason.

Teacher: Jimmy, why did you punch Pete?
Jimmy: 'Coz he called me a poopy-head (this is the "excuse")

The REASON was that Pete called him a poopy-head for stealing his lunch money.

[mrbond]

^ that is true.

I actually heard a discussion about this on NPR a few weeks ago. The difference is very subjective. Excuses aren't always a bad thing - it apparently depends on the context, the content, and what its goal is.
Whether something is viewed as an excuse as opposed to a reason would depend on who is getting the excuse/reason.

[SIPNGAS]

^ that is true.

I actually heard a discussion about this on NPR a few weeks ago. The difference is very subjective. Excuses aren't always a bad thing - it apparently depends on the context, the content, and what its goal is.
Whether something is viewed as an excuse as opposed to a reason would depend on who is getting the excuse/reason.

That's what I think, too.

It's all about perception and the two sides could view a reason/excuse as one or the other.

[Shroomster]

I always ask myself like this:

Do I have a reason or am I making an excuse?

[GeneW]

what IS the difference?

The two seem like they could be used in place of the other...but I think a reason given by someone could sound like an excuse to another. And an excuse isn't always a bad thing, but it sort of has the that feel.

Thoughts?

The difference is probably the sophistication of the explanation....

If Bill Clinton got busted with an Intern in the Oval Office his excuse was his "Alpha Male" status. His explanation is that he was a sex addict, if not "an appetite in a suit" (so said Jesse Jackson).

Gene

[YarisOwnersDad]

All reasons that sound good are not necessarily good, sound reasons.

[supmet]

I have reasons, everyone else has excuses :biggrin:

[Tamago]

reasons are based on facts
excuses are based on feelings

for example:

why are you late?

reason: there was an accident on the 826
excuse: i wasn't certain what the traffic was going to be like, so i didn't leave as early as i should have

[TLyttle]

Hey, Lisa, is there background to this question? Just asking....

[jdinrc]

I like these definitions from Webster's

Reason: a statement offered in explanation or justification, a rational ground or motive, a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense ; especially : something (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact

Excuse: : something offered as justification or as grounds for being excused, an expression of regret for failure to do something, to try to remove blame from

Therefore:
A reason is a factual, logical explanation of a rational motive and is based on facts.

An excuse is an expression of regret and request for being excused (not an apology, but a request that no blame be assigned).

[TheRealEnth]

Therefore:
A reason is a factual, logical explanation of a rational motive and is based on facts.

An excuse is an expression of regret and request for being excused (not an apology, but a request that no blame be assigned).

thats just what tamago said =D

[Giobatera]

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:Come on now, what is the reason for all these excuses????????:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin :

[FunctionSpec]

An excuse is our reason for doing something "wrong". Whether if we are telling the truth or telling a lie, the end result is still the same, we did something "wrong".

"Katie was late for class"<~~What she did wrong
"I had to save a dying puppy"<~~the truth
"There was traffic on the freeway"<~~the lie

Whether she lied or told the truth, even if it's good or bad, in the end she still did something "wrong", being late for class, which makes her reason for doing something wrong an "excuse".

Now if Katie saved her neighbors dying puppy, would the neighbor ask her "What's your excuse for saving my dog?" Is Katie's reason for doing something "right" an excuse? Only if you do something "wrong" would it be considered an excuse.

To Katie's teacher she did something "wrong" since she came late to class and to her neighbor she did something "right" since she saved her puppy. So her reason to her teacher is an excuse and her reason to her neighbor is..........a reason......lol

[SIPNGAS]

ooo..this was VERY interesting!

And it comes from a question posed to me by a friend. He said I was making an excuse for something I didn't do....(and he thought I should have)...where I felt I was stating a reason. I still think I had a good REASON....and that's where my thinking is the two have a lot to do with perception.

Thanks guys for some interesting and insightful answers.

[SailDesign]

ooo..this was VERY interesting!

And it comes from a question posed to me by a friend. He said I was making an excuse for something I didn't do....(and he thought I should have)...where I felt I was stating a reason. I still think I had a good REASON....and that's where my thinking is the two have a lot to do with perception.

Thanks guys for some interesting and insightful answers.

Now, Lisa - you're only adding fuel to the "curiosity" fire. :smile:

[cdavidhess]

Then there's the statement:

Everyone has two reasons for doing something--- a "good" reason and the "real" reason.

[MadMax]

A reason is an explanation of how something happened, and excuse is an explanation as to why it happened.

In the military, you can give a reason for something going wrong, but there had never be an excuse for it. The bottom line is that if it was your responsibility, then you will be held accountable for it no matter why it happened.

[jdinrc]

thats just what tamago said =D

Not exactly, but similar. Anyway, I like mine better :biggrin: