Are the words "reason" and "excuse" synonyms? If not, please explain the difference and provide proof.

Question

I think they are different but my boss thinks they are the same.

Answer 1

In common usage a reason is a legitimate, real cause for something bad you did.

An excuse is one that is not legitimate (like oversleeping and so being late) or not real (just a lie).

It sounds like what you boss is saying is that you need to do what needs to be done, no matter what.

Answer 2

I like Lex's answer. A reason is an explination of something. Thing "a" caused event "b", "a" often taking place outside of your control/responsibility. For example- "I got into a car accident, so I didn't come to work". That is a reason.
An excuse is an attempt to justify "a" with "b", with no relation between "a" and "b", and often taking place within your control/responsibility. For example- "I did not come to work because I did not set my alarm for the morning." That is an excuse.

Answer 3

Reason is a term used in the philosophy of arguments to refer to the ability of the human mind to form and operate on concepts in abstraction, in varied accordance with rationality and logic —terms with which reason shares heritage. Reason is thus a very important word in Western intellectual history, to describe a type or aspect of mental thought which has traditionally been claimed as distinctly human, and not to be found elsewhere in the animal world.

In jurisprudence, an excuse or justification is a form of immunity which must be distinguished from an exculpation. In this context, "to excuse" means to grant or obtain an exemption for a group of persons sharing a common characteristic from a potential liability. "To justify" as in justifiable homicide means to "vindicate" or show the justice in the particular conduct.

Answer 4

The point is rather in the focalization:
-reason seems more objective: the two parts would agree on a fact presented as a reason.
- excuse seems very subjective because it's part of the explanation of a "guilty" person. Then the other part needn't agree.

Answer 5

Your direct definitions may just differ. LOL

A reason is a validation of a point while and excuse is an attempt to validate with something not directly related to the point that you feel was an identifying factor.

Answer 6

reason means the facts that led up to the occurence..ie the reason that I am late is........
excuse means that the facts are not necessarily true