What do philosophers say about personal responsibility?

What do philosophers say about personal responsibility?

Philosophers have diverse views on personal responsibility. For instance, existentialists like Sartre argue that individuals are fully responsible for their actions, while determinists believe that our choices are influenced by factors beyond our control. What aspect of responsibility are you interested in?

Can you explain Sartre's perspective?

Certainly! Sartre believed that existence precedes essence, meaning we are not born with a predetermined purpose. Instead, we create our own essence through our choices, making us entirely responsible for our actions and their consequences.

What about the determinist view?

Determinists argue that every action is the result of preceding events and conditions, suggesting that free will is an illusion. They believe that our choices are influenced by genetics, environment, and past experiences, which limits personal responsibility.

How do these views impact moral accountability?

These views significantly impact moral accountability. If we accept Sartre's perspective, individuals are fully accountable for their actions. In contrast, determinism raises questions about how much blame or praise we can assign to someone if their choices are shaped by external factors.