Hey, i just wanted to clarify my position on promises.

I think there are 2 types of promises - a) legal and b) moral.
The type of promise you are talking about is a moral promise. I think there is a difference between a promise and a obligation too.

Promise - A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something
Obligation - a course of action that is demanded of one, as by position, custom, law, or religion

As you can see again a promise is simply an assurance that something will be or will not be done. It is only upheld by our own morals nothing else.

If promises rely on our morals then they must be made in the position where we:

1. have moral freedom to decide to make the promise or not.
2. have the moral power to give valid consent to give up that freedom and give someone a promise (i believe we can only have moral power once we have formed our moral beliefs, thus promises are only truly made as adults).
3. can give consent to make the promise (.e.g not be forced in a 'promise')
4. make the promise in a situation that is free and informal

If any of these conditions fails, then a moralized promise has not been made. If individuals do not have the right kinds of rights (the liberties and powers above) or do not exercise them under the right conditions, then there are no promises; there are only supposed promises.

That's what i think anyway. Moral promises are those made and kept in good faith.