Moral Responsibility Excusability we are not morally responsible

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?