Single Idea 23602

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / d. Non-combatants]

Full Idea

My alternative conception is that one is 'innocent' if one is neither morally responsible for nor guilty of a wrong. Classical theory focused on guilt, but I think we should focus on moral responsibility (which is something less).

Gist of Idea

Innocence implies not being morally responsible, rather than merely being guiltless

Source

Jeff McMahan (Killing in War [2009], 1.4)

Book Reference

McMahan,Jeff: 'Killing in War' [OUP 2009], p.34


A Reaction

This seems to make the supporters of evil equally liable to attack with its perpetrators. But you can observe perpetration a lot more easily than you can observe support.