more from Harry G. Frankfurt

Single Idea 9270

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / g. Moral responsibility]

Full Idea

I use the term 'wanton' to refer to agents who have first-order desires but who are not persons because, whether or not they have desires of the second-order, they have no second-order volitions.

Gist of Idea

A 'wanton' is not a person, because they lack second-order volitions

Source

Harry G. Frankfurt (Freedom of the Will and concept of a person [1971], §II)

Book Reference

'Free Will', ed/tr. Watson,Gary [OUP 1982], p.86


A Reaction

He seems to be describing someone who behaves like an animal, performing actions without ever stopping to think about them. Presumably some persons occasionally become wantons, if, for example, they have an anger problem.