Single Idea 23616

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions]

Full Idea

The common legal practice is to distinguish three broad categories of excuse: duress, epistemic limitation, and diminished responsibility.

Gist of Idea

Legal excuses are duress, ignorance, and diminished responsibility

Source

Jeff McMahan (Killing in War [2009], 3.2.1)

Book Reference

McMahan,Jeff: 'Killing in War' [OUP 2009], p.116


A Reaction

McMahan cites these with reference to soldiers in wartime, but they have general application. The third one seems particularly open to very wide interpretation. Presumably I can't be excused by just being irresponsible.