Aristotle's Ethics and Moral ResponsibilityAristotle's Ethics develops a complex theory of the qualities which make for a good human being and for several decades there has been intense discussion about whether Aristotle's theory of voluntariness, outlined in the Ethics, actually delineates what modern thinkers would recognize as a theory of moral responsibility. Javier Echeñique presents a novel account of Aristotle's discussion of voluntariness in the Ethics, arguing - against the interpretation by Arthur Adkins and that inspired by Peter Strawson - that he developed an original and compelling theory of moral responsibility and that this theory has contributed in important ways to our understanding of coercion, ignorance and violence. His study will be valuable for a wide range of readers interested in Aristotle and in ancient ethics more broadly. |
Contents
Against the Strawsonian interpretation | 19 |
Aristotle on ethical ascription | 55 |
THE DEFEATERS OF ETHICAL ASCRIPTION | 87 |
the Etbien Euaemia | 112 |
the Etbien | 134 |
Factual error and the source of blame | 148 |
The pain condition | 173 |
| 199 | |
| 207 | |
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Common terms and phrases
according acted involuntarily acting through factual Aeschylus agent’s agnoian animals appropriate argue argument Aristotelian praise Aristotle says Aristotle’s view belief blameable Chapter character characterised claim coercion compliance-attitudes conception of moral contrariety condition cowardly culpable defined definition of violence depends discussion distinction emphasis added Ethica Eudemia Ethica Nicomachea ethical ascription ethical dispositions ethically significant eudaimonia evaluative externality condition fact factual error find first fulfilled Gorgias he/eousion human incontinent agents instrumental action instrumentalist involuntary justified leai Magna Moralia matricide moral community moral responsibility nature non-rational non-substantive notion of violence objective one’s OR-coercion pain condition person piece of behaviour pleasure praise and blame praiseable praising or blaming prohairesis prospective psogos psychopaths qualification question rational choice reactive reason reason-responsive agent recognise relevant resulting act Rhet S-reactive attitudes seems sense shame someone sort of pain Strawson Strawsonian interpretation suggest supra things unawareness virtue and vice virtuous spectator voluntarily voluntary actions