Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour 39 (2):145-166 (2009)
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Abstract |
In moral psychology, it has long been argued that empathy is a necessary capacity of both properly developing moral agents and developed moral agency . This view stands in tension with the belief that some individuals diagnosed with autism—which is typically characterized as a deficiency in social reciprocity —are moral agents. In this paper we propose to explore this tension and perhaps trouble how we commonly see those with autism. To make this task manageable, we will consider whether high functioning individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder are capable of empathetic responses. If they are, then they possess a capacity that, on the view above, is required for moral agency. If they are not so capable, and yet sometimes engage in moral behaviour, this casts some doubt on the claim that empathy is required for moral agency. This second possibility will necessitate an exploration of the capacity of some individuals with autism to engage in moral behaviour, giving us further grounds to re-see these individuals as moral agents
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Keywords | moral behaviour moral psychology moral agency empathy Autism cognitive/affective empathy |
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DOI | 10.1111/j.1468-5914.2009.00402.x |
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References found in this work BETA
Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions.Martha C. Nussbaum - 2001 - Cambridge University Press.
Mindreading: An Integrated Account of Pretence, Self-Awareness, and Understanding Other Minds.Shaun Nichols & Stephen P. Stich - 2003 - Oxford University Press.
The Development of Social Knowledge: Morality and Convention.Elliot Turiel - 1983 - Cambridge University Press.
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Citations of this work BETA
Moral Appraisal for Everyone: Neurodiversity, Epistemic Limitations, and Responding to the Right Reasons.Claire Field - 2021 - Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 24 (3):733-752.
Autism and Moral Responsibility: Executive Function, Reasons Responsiveness, and Reasons Blockage.Kenneth Richman - 2018 - Neuroethics 11 (1):23-33.
Exploring the Role of Theory of Mind in Moral Judgment: The Case of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Roberta Fadda, Marinella Parisi, Luca Ferretti, Gessica Saba, Maria Foscoliano, Azzurra Salvago & Giuseppe Doneddu - 2016 - Frontiers in Psychology 7.
Should We Welcome a Cure for Autism? A Survey of the Arguments.R. Eric Barnes & Helen McCabe - 2012 - Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 15 (3):255-269.
View all 7 citations / Add more citations
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