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Single Idea 4384
[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions
]
Full Idea
Aristotle seems to define responsibility negatively: I am responsible for an action if and only if I do it neither by force nor because of ignorance.
Gist of Idea
For Aristotle responsibility seems negative, in the absence of force or ignorance
Source
comment on Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1114b13) by Terence Irwin - Reason and Responsibility in Aristotle p.117
Book Ref
'Essays on Aristotle's Ethics', ed/tr. Rorty,Amélie Oksenberg [University of California 1980], p.117
A Reaction
Reminiscent of David Hume, suggesting that Aristotle may at heart be a determinist, because he lacks any positive notion of free will?
The
30 ideas
with the same theme
[whether motives were sufficiently good]:
5213
|
If you repent of an act done through ignorance, you acted involuntarily, not non-voluntarily
[Aristotle]
|
4384
|
For Aristotle responsibility seems negative, in the absence of force or ignorance
[Irwin on Aristotle]
|
22507
|
An action is voluntary when it is accompanied by thought of some kind
[Aristotle]
|
23319
|
We are responsible if our actions reflect our motivation
[Aristotle, by Frede,M]
|
14061
|
Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame
[Epicurus]
|
23305
|
Stoics said responsibility depends on rationality
[Stoic school, by Sorabji]
|
23325
|
Epictetus developed a notion of will as the source of our responsibility
[Epictetus, by Frede,M]
|
5008
|
The greatest perfection of man is to act by free will, and thus merit praise or blame
[Descartes]
|
5009
|
We do not praise the acts of an efficient automaton, as their acts are necessary
[Descartes]
|
17202
|
We are the source of an action if only our nature can explain the action
[Spinoza]
|
21865
|
We act when it follows from our nature, and is understood in that way
[Spinoza]
|
21868
|
We love or hate people more strongly because we think they are free
[Spinoza]
|
2224
|
Praise and blame can only be given if an action proceeds from a person's character and disposition
[Hume]
|
22374
|
You can only hold people responsible for actions which arise out of their character
[Hume]
|
20251
|
Actions done for a purpose are least understood, because we complacently think it's obvious
[Nietzsche]
|
24127
|
Judging actions by intentions - like judging painters by their thoughts!
[Nietzsche]
|
22500
|
Nietzsche failed to see that moral actions can be voluntary without free will
[Foot on Nietzsche]
|
20324
|
My freedom increases as I broaden my vision of possiblities and motives
[Jaspers]
|
23071
|
We could only be responsible if we had consented before birth to who we are
[Cioran]
|
3442
|
Responsibility seems to conflict with events being either caused or not caused
[Chisholm]
|
3443
|
Desires may rule us, but are we responsible for our desires?
[Chisholm]
|
2174
|
Responsibility involves cause, intention, state of mind, and response after the event
[Williams,B]
|
23590
|
Criminal responsibility can be fully assigned to each member of a group
[Walzer]
|
23086
|
Liberals say we are only responsible for fully autonomous actions
[Kekes]
|
23100
|
Collective responsibility conflicts with responsibility's requirement of authonomy
[Kekes]
|
7096
|
We may still admire a person's character even if the traits are involuntary
[Statman]
|
6663
|
People's actions are explained either by their motives, or their reasons, or the causes
[Lowe]
|
20048
|
There may be a justification relative to a person's view, and yet no absolute justification
[Stout,R]
|
20053
|
An action is only yours if you produce it, rather than some state or event within you
[Stout,R]
|
23616
|
Legal excuses are duress, ignorance, and diminished responsibility
[McMahan]
|