Moral: Virtue: Voluntary action, choice, responsibility Flashcards
We Appropriately _____ or ____ individuals for voluntary actions
We Appropriately praise or blame individuals for voluntary actions
What defines a voluntary action?
An action we know we are doing and bring about ourselves
Which two factors can make actions involuntary?
- Force
- Ignorance
What happens in an involuntary action due to force?
The cause is external, not the person
What is an example of an involuntary action due to ignorance?
Accidentally poisoning a friend due to lack of knowledge of their allergy
What can lead to a voluntary choice even in extreme circumstances?
Rational deliberation to avoid a greater evil
What is the difference between acting in ignorance and acting from ignorance?
Acting in ignorance is voluntary: acting from ignorance is involuntary
What characterizes an involuntary action from ignorance?
Lack of knowledge of circumstances and feeling of regret
What is Aristotle’s view on if bad actions are voluntary?
They are voluntary, as bad people mistakenly desire what is not desirable
According to Aristotle, why are bad people still responsible for their actions?
Their character is shaped by their choices
What is the role of deliberation in Aristotle’s concept of choice?
Deliberation involves reasoning about what we can change before making a choice
Fill in the blank: We can only be praised/blamed for _________ actions.
voluntary
Fill in the blank: In voluntary actions, we know what we are doing and we bring it about ___________.
ourselves
Fill in the blank: Force and __________ render actions involuntary.
ignorance
What motion will someone feel when they act involuntarily?
They do so with pain and regret
What is the significance of moral responsibility in Aristotle’s philosophy?
It hinges on the voluntariness of actions
Do we deliberate about ends according to Aristotle?
No, we always deliberate about means to achieve further ends
What does Clarence Darrow argue regarding responsibility?
We are not responsible for what we are due to genetic and environmental influences
What is the case of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb about?
Two wealthy boys who committed crimes to prove their superiority
According to Aristotle, why might someone argue that bad actions are not voluntary?
Because bad people act from ignorance of what is truly good
