Moral Responsibility
What Is Moral Responsibility?
Definition
Moral responsibility
Moral responsibility refers to the obligation to act ethically and the accountability for one's actions.
- Moral Agents: Individuals capable of making ethical decisions and understanding the consequences.
- Accountability: Being answerable for one's actions, especially when they affect others.
Note
Moral responsibility is often linked to free will, as it assumes individuals can choose their actions.
The Role of Moral Responsibility in Defining Humanity
- Moral Agency: The ability to make ethical decisions is often seen as a defining feature of being human.
- Ethical Frameworks: Many philosophical traditions emphasize moral responsibility as central to human identity.
Example
In Kantian ethics, moral responsibility is grounded in the ability to act according to universal moral laws, such as the categorical imperative.
Moral Agency and Personhood
- Moral Agency: The capacity to make ethical decisions and be held accountable.
- Personhood: The status of being a person, often linked to moral agency.
Note
- Moral agency is not the only criterion for personhood.
- Other factors, such as consciousness and self-awareness, may also be considered.
The Case of Infants
- Lack of Moral Agency: Infants cannot make ethical decisions or understand moral consequences.
- Personhood Debate: Does this mean infants are not persons?
Perspectives on Infants and Personhood
- Developmental View: Infants are potential moral agents and should be considered persons.
- Intrinsic Value: Some argue that personhood is inherent, regardless of moral agency.
Example
Philosopher Mary Anne Warren distinguishes between genetic and moral personhood, arguing that infants have moral value even if they lack full moral agency.
Broader Implications
- Ethical Treatment: How we define personhood affects how we treat infants, animals, and artificial intelligences.
- Moral Responsibility: Understanding moral responsibility helps clarify our obligations to others.
