Moral Appraisability Puzzles, Proposals, and Perplexities

by Haji, Ishtiyaque

• ISBN13: 9780195114744
• ISBN10: 0195114744
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-02-26
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This book explores the epistemic or knowledge requirement of moralresponsibility. Haji argues that an agent can be blamed (or praised) only if theagent harbors a belief that the action in question is wrong (or right orobligatory). Defending the importance of an "authenticity" condition whenevaluating moral responsibility, Haji holds that one cannot be morallyresponsible for an action unless the action issues from sources (like desires orbeliefs) that are truly the agent's own. Engaging crucial arguments in moraltheory to elaborate his views on moral responsibility, Haji addresses as wellfascinating, underexamined topics such as assigning blame across anintercultural gap and the relevance of unconscious or dream thoughts whenevaluating responsibility.

Table of Contents

ONE Introduction	3	(13)
TWO Appraisability, Alternative Possibilities, and Ultimate Control	16	(26)
THREE Moral Obligation and Alternative Possibilities	42	(23)
FOUR Appraisability and Control	65	(21)
FIVE Appraisability, Autonomy, and Control	86	(22)
SIX Appraisability and Induced Pro-Attitudes	108	(16)
SEVEN Authentic Evaluative Schemes	124	(16)
EIGHT Knowledge and Appraisability	140	(11)
NINE An Epistemic Dimension of Appraisability	151	(17)
TEN Assembling the Elements	168	(9)
ELEVEN Varieties of Normative Appraisability	177	(20)
TWELVE Blameworthiness, Character, and Cultural Norms	197	(11)
THIRTEEN Addiction and Control	208	(12)
FOURTEEN On Being Appraisable for the Thoughts of One's Dream Self	220	(17)
FIFTEEN Wrapping Up: Some Final Thoughts	237	(10)
NOTES	247	(13)
REFERENCES	260	(9)
INDEX	269