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Single Idea 23086

[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions ]

Full Idea

The liberal view is that people can be held responsible only for actions that are in their control: actions that reflect the agents' unforced choices, evaluations, and understanding of their significance - that is, autonomous actions.

Gist of Idea

Liberals say we are only responsible for fully autonomous actions

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 01.5)

Book Ref

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.21


A Reaction

Kekes, who is a somewhat right wing anti-liberal, thinks people should be mainly held responsible for the consequences, unless they have a very good excuse.