If one hears someone saying a beracha, is there an obligation to answer Amen or is it just praiseworthy to do so?

The Beis Yosef (OC 215) writes that this is a matter of dispute between the Rambam and the Tur. The Rambam (Hilchos Berachos 1:13) writes that there is an obligation to answer Amen when hearing a beracha, even if one did not hear the entire beracha and even if he is not obligated to recite this beracha. However, the Beis Yosef understands the Tur (OC 215) to be saying that answering Amen to a beracha is optional. The Bach and others interpret the words of the Tur differently, and they believe the Tur agrees with the Rambam. Regardless, the Shulchan Aruch (215:2) rules in accordance with the Rambam that if one hears a beracha, there is an obligation to answer Amen.

The Mishnah Berurah (215:8) writes that the obligation to respond Amen to a beracha is based on the Biblical verse, When I call the name of Hashem, bestow greatness to our G-d (Devarim 32:3).

Poskim write that one must be very careful to answer Amen to berachos. The Chayei Adam (6:1) and the Aishel Avrohom (OC 215) citing the Zohar Chadash (Rus), write that those who do not answer Amen will be severely punished.  Furthermore, Reb Yossi stated that answering Amen is a greater mitzvah than reciting the beracha (Berachos 53b), and the Talmud relates that the gates of Gan Eden are opened for those who answer Amen with all their strength (Shabbos 119b).

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