“Are we morally responsible for our actions, even if they are ultimately caused
by factors beyond our actions?”
Indeed, Gaten Strawson once suggested that “in order to be truly deserving, he
must be responsible for that which makes us deserving”.
Moral responsibility relates to many significant topics in philosophy such as the
nature of human and free will. Free will is a fundamental aspect of philosophy
with conflicted views and opinions on the idea of humans being morally
responsible, for their individual actions. Free will and moral responsibility have
been long standing debates amongst philosophers and often discussed to
question both. Arguably, external factors could be concluded as various things
such as concupiscence, original sin and desire. In this essay, I will be
highlighting whether these external factors play as an excuse for human sin.
Yes- we are responsible for our actions. This would be said to several scholars
and philosophers arguing the idea of free will. Quintessentially, when
discussing the theme of free will, we would refer to Genesis 3 ‘The Fall’, the
initial moment that caused the downfall of humanity. In this genesis, St
Augustine of Hippo focuses on the evil of mankind and how we were all
individuals “who willed or was unwilling”. In his book, ‘Confessions’, St
by factors beyond our actions?”
Indeed, Gaten Strawson once suggested that “in order to be truly deserving, he
must be responsible for that which makes us deserving”.
Moral responsibility relates to many significant topics in philosophy such as the
nature of human and free will. Free will is a fundamental aspect of philosophy
with conflicted views and opinions on the idea of humans being morally
responsible, for their individual actions. Free will and moral responsibility have
been long standing debates amongst philosophers and often discussed to
question both. Arguably, external factors could be concluded as various things
such as concupiscence, original sin and desire. In this essay, I will be
highlighting whether these external factors play as an excuse for human sin.
Yes- we are responsible for our actions. This would be said to several scholars
and philosophers arguing the idea of free will. Quintessentially, when
discussing the theme of free will, we would refer to Genesis 3 ‘The Fall’, the
initial moment that caused the downfall of humanity. In this genesis, St
Augustine of Hippo focuses on the evil of mankind and how we were all
individuals “who willed or was unwilling”. In his book, ‘Confessions’, St
