Skip to content

Topics Thinkers Changes ContributorsLoading account…

Carmelics

A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

Navigate

Topics
Search
Recent Changes
Contribute
How It Works
Glossary
Thinkers
Contributors
About
Statistics
Terms
Privacy

Database

Statements: —
Perspectives: —
Topics: —

Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

Made within

DC&

Austin

Statements: 321,452
Perspectives: 108,905
Topics: 42

If agents lack the sourcehood required for basic desert, ... — Carmelics

History Edit See Inverse

Part of a larger discussion

Challenges→Positive retributivism holds that desert provides an in-principle sufficient reason for punishment, though only in principle.

If agents lack the sourcehood required for basic desert, punishment cannot be sufficiently justified by desert alone, even in principle.

?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.

1 reason for

1 reason against

Reasons For

1 perspective

Reason for

?

1.Moral responsibility requires that agents could have acted otherwise through their own free choices, not merely that they caused harm.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.Desert-based justification is unique in requiring a deep metaphysical connection between agent and action; other justifications don't need this.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.If sourcehood is absent, punishment becomes purely consequentialist tool-use, which fails to respect persons as moral agents deserving of reasons.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

Reasons Against

1 perspective

Reason against

?

1.Desert-based punishment can be justified by fair social reciprocity norms alone, independent of sourcehood claims about metaphysical free will.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.The claim conflates 'necessary for desert' with 'necessary for justification'; other reasons (deterrence, incapacitation, restoration) may suffice.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.Sourcehood itself may be compatible with naturalism without requiring libertarian free will, making the premise's scope too broad.
?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

Next step

Based on where you are in your exploration

Strongest counterpoint

Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

Connections

1 topic

Justice & Punishment1 linked

Related

Desert-based justification is unique in requiring a deep metaphysical connection...Desert-based punishment can be justified by fair social reciprocity norms alone,...If sourcehood is absent, punishment becomes purely consequentialist tool-use, wh...Moral responsibility requires that agents could have acted otherwise through the...

+3 moreShow less

Positive retributivism holds that desert provides an in-principle sufficient rea...Sourcehood itself may be compatible with naturalism without requiring libertaria...The claim conflates 'necessary for desert' with 'necessary for justification'; o...

Details

Type: claim
Perspectives: 2 (1 for, 1 against)
Edits: 1 edit