Moral Responsibility
•Excusability: we are not morally responsible if:
•the consequences of actions are unexpected
•actions are constrained by external threats or
uncontrollable internal forces
•consequences of acts are beyond our control
•we do not have the ability or opportunity to
do otherwise
Moral Responsibility (continued)
•Determinism/Libertarianism/Compatibilism
•Determinism: we are not morally responsible
because our actions are not really free
•Libertarianism: we are morally responsible
because our actions are based on reasons (not
causes) over which we have control
•Compatibilism: we are morally responsible
when our actions are caused by our choices; if
caused by other forces, we are not responsible
Principles of a Moral Code
•A set of values becomes a person’s moral
code only as a result of personal reflection
•Ethical behavior is based on wanting to do
the right thing, not simply acting because we
were raised a certain way or people expect it
•Considering the consequences of our actions
helps us determine the moral value of actions
Social Philosophy
•Social philosophy is not ethics, because it is
not concerned with identifying a norm of good
conduct; nor is it politics, because it is not
concerned with describing how power is
expressed in institutions. Instead, it evaluates
institutional power in terms of moral principles
•Issues: how are individuals related to society?
•how is State authority justified?
•what is the role of government and law?
•what are justice, civil rights, freedom?