| Oct 17, 2007 @ 10:39 PM |
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lone_star_camper
Posts: 4
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what's the difference between an excuse and a reason?
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| Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:07 AM |
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MamaBird2K
Posts: 63
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To me, when someone offers a reason for something, they still are taking responsibility. An excuse therefore assumes lack of it, or at least the lack of willingness to assume that responsibility.
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| Oct 18, 2007 @ 8:35 AM |
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divine35
Posts: 17
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I would say it also depends on the reason as well. Sometimes reasons become excuses. One way to look at it:
A reason is an explanation. An excuse makes it sound like it was okay.
Another way:
An excuse is a reason justified by dishonesty.
Excuses are a justification for giving up or giving in. You didn't explore all your options, or ignored or denied your options, you didn't plan ahead, you didn't ask for help, you didn't accept help offered. Excuses are reasons that rely on you being dishonest with others and yourself.
The ability to make an excuse relies on choice.
A valid reason restricts your choices.
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| Oct 18, 2007 @ 10:22 AM |
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lone_star_camper
Posts: 4
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i see the difference simpler. it depends on who's SAYING it or who's HEARING it.
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| Oct 18, 2007 @ 12:12 PM |
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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Well here's my humble theory folks:
A reason is the actual cause for why something happened or didn't. If it's a good reason, then one may have "a good excuse" and will naturally want to use it to save their hide from a good tongue lashing. 
An excuse, on the other hand, is something that attempts to justify the questionable action or inaction. Unlike a "reason", it is not necessarily the truth; it can be made up or it can be the actual reason. For example, if the reason for an action or inaction is not a good one, then it's considered to be a poor excuse or may not even be considered an excuse at all (e.g. "that's no excuse!") for the behavior in question. If the culpable party doesn't feel that the actual reason for their behavior is a good one (i.e. a "good excuse"), then they may sometimes resort to making up one or more excuses, basically in order to cover their a****.  
In the course of writing this post and thinking about the question the OP posed, the writer of this post has determined that all reasons can be excuses but not all excuses can be reasons, since said individual has arrived at the conclusion that some excuses can be made up, but actual reasons for the behavior cannot be.
Excuses may also be used to attempt to explain unexplainable, mysterious or just plain confusing behavior. Having said that, excuses for behavior are basically man's attempts to explain reasons behind women's behavior.   HA!!! Just kidding!
- the Fuchian 
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| Oct 18, 2007 @ 10:57 PM |
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MintSummer
Posts: 6
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Well fuchia ... same goes for women where men are concerned... lol
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