Taking Responsibility
Taking Responsibility
This chapter explores an argument in defense of moral responsibility; rather than trying to find responsibility in some scientifically inaccessible niche, these bold spirits take responsibility. The implication here is that one’s past does not matter; the moment one takes responsibility, the responsibility is owned by the one taking responsibility by virtue of the act of accepting and identifying with and acknowledging the responsibility as one’s own. The main argument in this chapter is thus: “I am responsible because I take responsibility.” Taking responsibility plays a prominent role in the justification of moral responsibility. There is real value in taking responsibility, but it is vital to distinguish between two types of responsibility. It is argued in this chapter that only one is worth taking, and that taken responsibility is not moral responsibility.
Keywords: moral responsibility, taking responsibility, scientifically inaccessible niche
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