Single Idea 20166

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

Full Idea

A man becomes more and more a free and responsible agent the more he at all times knows what he is doing, in every sense of this phrase, and the more he acts with a definite and clearly formed intention.

Gist of Idea

A man is a responsible agent to the extent he has an intention, and knows what he is doing

Source

Stuart Hampshire (Thought and Responsibility [1960], p.178), quoted by John Kekes - The Human Condition 07.1

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.140


A Reaction

Kekes quote this (along with Frankfurt, Hart etc) as the 'received view' of responsibility, which he attacks.