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Excuses in law and in morality: a response to Marcia Baron

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Abstract

In this analysis of Marcia Baron’s account of excuses, I seek to do two things. I try to draw out the nature of the distinction between forgiving and excusing. I also defend the distinction between excuses (like duress), and denials of responsibility (like insanity).

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Notes

  1. Baron 2006: n. 1. She qualifies the claim in important respects. I shall henceforth refer to her paper by reference to the section number (e.g. ‘s. 6.2’) in which the relevant passage is to be found.

  2. Tone of voice may, of course, add yet further nuances to some or all of these phrases.

  3. Although in s. 7 she rightly qualifies this claim when some kinds of ‘exempting’ excuse are in issue.

  4. For a general discussion of such ‘transcending’ values, see Horder 2004: ch. 1.2.

  5. I do not intend, through invocation of this phrase, to identify my understanding of a diminished capacity claim with that set out in the Model Penal Code, or elsewhere.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Law Commission for England and Wales, Conquest House, 37–38 John Street, Thobalds Road, London, WC1N 2BQ, UK

    Jeremy Horder

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  1. Jeremy Horder
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Correspondence to Jeremy Horder.

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Horder, J. Excuses in law and in morality: a response to Marcia Baron. Criminal Law, Philosophy 1, 41–47 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11572-006-9002-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11572-006-9002-1

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