Sanity And The Metaphysics Of Responsibility By Susan Wolf Summary
In the paper “Sanity and the Metaphysics of Responsibility”, Susan Wolf discusses her ideas on what is necessary for an individual to be responsible for their actions. She argues that in order for the person to be held morally responsible for their actions, they need to be morally sane. To consider one to be morally sane, this individual must have an ideology that is able for them to distinguish right from wrong. Hence, a morally sane person must be able to reason and have a sound mind. Furthermore, Wolf establishes the sane deep-self view by applying other philosopher’s ideas. A view that Frankfurt, Watson and Taylor all share in common is the deepself view. The following view states that for an individual to be morally responsible for their actions, it must be in accord with your deepest values (e.g., second-order desires), then you are held accountable for your actions. However, the deep-self view is flawed and is demonstrated in the following example involving JoJo. JoJo is the evil dictator’s son who has been raised to think torturing people is perfectly okay and morally acceptable in society. JoJo is capable of acting in agreement with his deep self. As the dictator’s son can have second order desires that are reasonable but from our perspective they’re immoral. Hence, Wolf believes that majority of us would not consider JoJo accountable and responsible for his actions. This is where the deep-self view is flawed, and Wolf suggests the sane deep-self view. In this
The Sociopath Next Door By Lorna Dueck Summary
888 Words | 4 PagesA conscience is known as an inner feeling or voice that acts as a guideline for the morality of one’s behaviour. In Lorna Dueck’s “Why conscience (or lack of it) is in the news”, she portrays the purpose of a conscience in an individual’s decisions and actions. Dueck questions individual’s conduct then provides solutions to achieve a better world. She includes other sources to strengthen her argument on how one’s conscience reflects their behaviour. As well, Dueck uses a logical perspective to convince the audience the importance of a morally shaped conscience.
Harry Frankfurt's Argument Essay
1797 Words | 8 PagesHis position in regards to his argument is directly outlined at the beginning of the text to insure that readers are aware of the author’s intensions. He uses examples of situations in which the current principle of alternative possibilities is faulted and concisely pulls apart each situation to determine exactly what constitutes the excision of morally responsibility. The article clearly outlines Frankfurt’s arguments, however it becomes evident in particular sections that Frankfurt’s arguments become slightly repetitive as he tries to, perhaps over simplify his arguments to ensure his reader understand his position. As someone who has never been exposed to the principle of alternative possibilities and its implications of moral responsibility for ones actions I found Frankfurt’s arguments were well illustrated and provided strong persuasion with appeal to reason. Frankfurt not only provides sound reasoning behind his arguments about how the principle of possible alternatives is false, however, he does suggest possible ways to revise the principle so that it is more accurate.
Zimbardo Good Vs Evil Essay
731 Words | 3 PagesA pure example of the role of authority over decision making is shown in the Stanford Prison Experiment, as discussed in the book. Zimbardo once again offers an in depth look at his experiment and how it completely changed seemingly normal people into horrible monsters. In the Stanford Prison
Jim Jones: The Intricator Of Evil
2812 Words | 12 PagesIntroduction Many psychologists and researchers have for many years tried to explain what makes normal human beings become evil and become perpetrators of evil. The study of a normal human being becoming a perpetrator of evil has almost become it’s own branch of psychology. There are many examples of evil actions in this world, which has led to a lot of research of the human mind; where evil is born. Hitler, Anders Breivik, and Jim Jones are just a few examples of the many evil human minds we have seen in this world. All people, who were thought to hold the same mindset as everyone else.
Determinism Vs Libertarianism
1337 Words | 6 PagesThe debate regarding whether or not humans are ultimately responsible for their actions and decisions has grown rapidly in the twenty-first century, as this debate was mainly a theological and philosophical debate, rather than a scientific one, and mainly a debate restricted to experts and scholars. The two opposing theories which create such a debate are Libertarianism and Determinism. Libertarianism proposes the argument that free choice is true, and since it is true, complete causal determinism must be false and does not exist. This view accepts the psychological image and rejects the mechanistic image of one’s actions and decisions. The psychological image, also known as the ‘common sense view’ looks at the mind, feelings, and emotions,
Moral Evils: Swinburne's Solution To The Problem Of Evil
1006 Words | 5 PagesFinally, I argue Swinburne’s solution to the Problem of Evil is persuasive. First, I begin with Swinburne’s views on the kinds of evils. According to him, there are two kinds of evil: moral evil and natural evil. Moral evil refers to all evil caused deliberately by humans doing what they ought not to do and also the evil constituted by such deliberate actions or negligent failure
Frankenstein Moral Ambiguity Essay
1235 Words | 5 PagesHow do I Make Moral choices, in a World of Moral Ambiguity? A desire for meaning would also include obtaining some kind of “identity,” or individualism. Yet, society or someone will try to force their “ideal” moral system onto everyone else. “Thinking may be “good for nothing” in the world, but in the mind it is good for guidance—not legislation, but guidance” (Bruehl 193).
How Is Alton Harris Morally Responsible
760 Words | 4 PagesThe case of Robert Alton Harris, a convicted murderer who was executed in 1992 for his crimes, raises profound questions about free will and moral responsibility. In this essay, I will argue that Harris did not exercise free agency when committing the crimes, that he could not have done otherwise, and that he is morally responsible for his actions despite his background. Moreover, I will show how this scenario can be used to shed light on the possibility of free will and moral responsibility in a deterministic universe. First, let us consider the facts of the case.
Thomas Nagel Moral Luck Summary
420 Words | 2 PagesWe may not have complete control over our lives, but let us not fail to pay attention to our intuitions and our experiences of it. Many aspects go into deciding whether one is morally good or bad and ultimately can be traced back to
Impossibility Of Moral Responsibility By Galen Strawson
878 Words | 4 PagesLucy Bichakhchyan Introduction to Philosophy Second Short Written Assignment GALEN STRAWSON THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF MORAL RESPONSIBILITY Galen Strawson is a British philosopher, who is famous for his philosophical works on free will, panpsychism, causality, determinism etc. This paper is about his article “The Impossibility of Moral Responsibility”. The title of the article already gives away the stand that Strawson has considering Moral Responsibility..
Innate Morality
1507 Words | 7 PagesQuestions of morality are abstract and extremely touchy. They are subject to enduring debates regarding its origins, nature, and limits, with no possibility of a consensus. Although the theories on morality often pursue diverse angles, among the most interesting ones that have come up in recent times revolve around the question whether human beings are born with an innate moral sense. Some scholars hold the view that humans are born with an inherent sense of morality while others believe the opposite that humans are not born with an innate moral sense holds true. By using Steven Pinker’s
Evaluating Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
1495 Words | 6 PagesBased on an evaluation of Aristotle’s arguments and the objection that stands against it, people are responsible for voluntary actions and involuntary actions whose circumstances or particulars they themselves have caused. In order to evaluate Aristotle’s ethical argument, it is first necessary to explain his definitions of character acquisition, volition, and responsibility. Aristotle defines character acquisition very succinctly:
Determinism Vs Free Will
1777 Words | 8 PagesDeterminism, free will and moral responsibility (1681 words) Table of contents: Introduction. Blatchford’s view on determinism, free will, and moral responsibility. Schlick’s determinism, freedom and responsibility. Hospers’s position.
Theories Of Utilitarianism, Kantianism, And Aristotelianism
1163 Words | 5 PagesThroughout history many great philosophers have attempted to unravel the origins of virtues by developing moral theories of their own. This document is designed to provide the reader with an overview of some of the more popular theories concerning morals. Three of the most popular moral theories are… Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism. Though Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism differ in many ways, they also share similar fundamentals. Utilitarianism is a highly acclaimed theory that is morally based on consequentialism.
Hutcheson's Moral Sense
1093 Words | 5 PagesThe point is that moral approvals and disapprovals done by our moral sense are specific in nature and only operate when there is an action that can be appropriately judged of by our moral sense. Reasoning and information can change the evaluation of the moral sense, but no amount of reasoning can or does precede the moral sense in regard to its approval of what is for the public good. The moral sense approves of the good for others. This concern for others by the moral sense is what is natural to humankind, Hutcheson contended. Reason gives content to the moral sense, informing it of what is good for others and the public good
More about Sanity And The Metaphysics Of Responsibility By Susan Wolf Summary
The Sociopath Next Door By Lorna Dueck Summary
888 Words | 4 PagesHarry Frankfurt's Argument Essay
1797 Words | 8 PagesZimbardo Good Vs Evil Essay
731 Words | 3 PagesJim Jones: The Intricator Of Evil
2812 Words | 12 PagesDeterminism Vs Libertarianism
1337 Words | 6 PagesMoral Evils: Swinburne's Solution To The Problem Of Evil
1006 Words | 5 PagesFrankenstein Moral Ambiguity Essay
1235 Words | 5 PagesHow Is Alton Harris Morally Responsible
760 Words | 4 PagesThomas Nagel Moral Luck Summary
420 Words | 2 PagesImpossibility Of Moral Responsibility By Galen Strawson
878 Words | 4 PagesInnate Morality
1507 Words | 7 PagesEvaluating Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
1495 Words | 6 PagesDeterminism Vs Free Will
1777 Words | 8 PagesTheories Of Utilitarianism, Kantianism, And Aristotelianism
1163 Words | 5 PagesHutcheson's Moral Sense
1093 Words | 5 Pages