Does moral responsibility require freedom? Does responsibility come in degrees? We will consider potentially mitigating conditions of responsibility: Should people be blamed  for their actions when upbringing, character, and environment appear to be largely matters of luck?

Freedom and Responsibility
PHIL 4484, L01 EP4/Senior Values Seminar

“Does any man then hinder me from going with smiles and cheerfulness and contentment?… ‘But I will put you in chains.’ Man, what are you talking about? Me in
Course Description
In this course we will debate the nature of freedom, responsibility, the standards of moral praise and blame, and the morality of punishment. We begin by discussing foundational questions: What is freedom and what does it require? Does freedom matter? Could scientists reveal to us that the laws of nature prevent us from being free? We will then explore problems arising from the foundational debates:

Does moral responsibility require freedom? Does responsibility come in degrees? We will consider potentially mitigating conditions of responsibility: Should people be blamed  for their actions when upbringing, character, and environment appear to be largely matters of luck? Finally, we will consider the relationship between blame and punishment: What justifies the practice of punishing criminals? What is the ultimate purpose of punishment and blame?

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