Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading 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

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    The distinction between what an agent can do and what is ... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→The classification of the error-term ε_s as environmental versus behavioral constraint depends on the goal of inquiry and what follows from the reclassification, not on any fixed conceptual boundary.

    The distinction between what an agent can do and what is done to an agent is a pre-theoretical condition for attributing moral responsibility, not a tool of inquiry.

    ?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 distinguishing agent causation from external causation, which is conceptually prior to any empirical investigation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.This distinction is intuitive across cultures and appears in folk psychology before formal moral theorizing, suggesting it is foundational.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Without this pre-theoretical distinction, we cannot coherently begin inquiry into responsibility; it enables rather than results from investigation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Neuroscience reveals action/passivity at the neural level is often indeterminate; our folk distinction may require empirical refinement to be useful.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Edge cases (compulsion, manipulation, implicit bias) show the distinction is unstable without theoretical tools to clarify what counts as 'doing'.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Treating it as pre-theoretical prevents us from questioning whether the distinction carves nature at its joints or merely reflects outdated assumptions.
      ?

      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

    2 topics

    Philosophy of Language1 linkedMoral Responsibility1 linked

    Related

    Edge cases (compulsion, manipulation, implicit bias) show the distinction is uns...Moral responsibility requires distinguishing agent causation from external causa...Neuroscience reveals action/passivity at the neural level is often indeterminate...The classification of the error-term ε_s as environmental versus behavioral cons...
    +3 moreShow less
    This distinction is intuitive across cultures and appears in folk psychology bef...Treating it as pre-theoretical prevents us from questioning whether the distinct...Without this pre-theoretical distinction, we cannot coherently begin inquiry int...

    Details

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