Against Moral Responsibility

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Applied Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book Against Moral Responsibility by Bruce N. Waller, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bruce N. Waller ISBN: 9780262298070
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: October 14, 2011
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Bruce N. Waller
ISBN: 9780262298070
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: October 14, 2011
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

A vigorous attack on moral responsibility in all its forms argues that the abolition of moral responsibility will be liberating and beneficial.

In Against Moral Responsibility, Bruce Waller launches a spirited attack on a system that is profoundly entrenched in our society and its institutions, deeply rooted in our emotions, and vigorously defended by philosophers from ancient times to the present. Waller argues that, despite the creative defenses of it by contemporary thinkers, moral responsibility cannot survive in our naturalistic-scientific system. The scientific understanding of human behavior and the causes that shape human character, he contends, leaves no room for moral responsibility.

Waller argues that moral responsibility in all its forms—including criminal justice, distributive justice, and all claims of just deserts—is fundamentally unfair and harmful and that its abolition will be liberating and beneficial. What we really want—natural human free will, moral judgments, meaningful human relationships, creative abilities—would survive and flourish without moral responsibility. In the course of his argument, Waller examines the origins of the basic belief in moral responsibility, proposes a naturalistic understanding of free will, offers a detailed argument against moral responsibility and critiques arguments in favor of it, gives a general account of what a world without moral responsibility would look like, and examines the social and psychological aspects of abolishing moral responsibility. Waller not only mounts a vigorous, and philosophically rigorous, attack on the moral responsibility system, but also celebrates the benefits that would result from its total abolition.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A vigorous attack on moral responsibility in all its forms argues that the abolition of moral responsibility will be liberating and beneficial.

In Against Moral Responsibility, Bruce Waller launches a spirited attack on a system that is profoundly entrenched in our society and its institutions, deeply rooted in our emotions, and vigorously defended by philosophers from ancient times to the present. Waller argues that, despite the creative defenses of it by contemporary thinkers, moral responsibility cannot survive in our naturalistic-scientific system. The scientific understanding of human behavior and the causes that shape human character, he contends, leaves no room for moral responsibility.

Waller argues that moral responsibility in all its forms—including criminal justice, distributive justice, and all claims of just deserts—is fundamentally unfair and harmful and that its abolition will be liberating and beneficial. What we really want—natural human free will, moral judgments, meaningful human relationships, creative abilities—would survive and flourish without moral responsibility. In the course of his argument, Waller examines the origins of the basic belief in moral responsibility, proposes a naturalistic understanding of free will, offers a detailed argument against moral responsibility and critiques arguments in favor of it, gives a general account of what a world without moral responsibility would look like, and examines the social and psychological aspects of abolishing moral responsibility. Waller not only mounts a vigorous, and philosophically rigorous, attack on the moral responsibility system, but also celebrates the benefits that would result from its total abolition.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book The Moral Brain by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Digital Research Confidential by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Winning the Reputation Game by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book How Not to Network a Nation by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Paper Machines by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Rational Action by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Spam by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Statistical Approaches to Gene x Environment Interactions for Complex Phenotypes by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Real Hallucinations by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Polarized America by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Russian Cosmism by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Burdens of Proof by Bruce N. Waller
Cover of the book Networked Affect by Bruce N. Waller
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy