Stop to Think #3

The videos and primary texts are accompanied with a short description and often a question to guide your focus. Thinking of each of them is essential for understanding certain class material. In this assignment, you will respond to one of them by writing a concise, thorough paragraph (around 150 words).

Read the situation below, and answer the question from the standpoint of all three positions: hard determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism. While doing so, make sure that you use appropriate explanation and terminology for each view.

John was showing off his handgun to his neighbor David. Because John did not realize that the gun was loaded, he was handling it carelessly. It accidentally went off and killed David.

Question: Was John morally responsible for killing David?

Stop to Think #3 Answer

Through Hard Determinism

               Jon is not morally responsible for killing David because the gun firing is out of his control. For hard determinism, the gun being loaded and being fired is already predestined, and Jon has no choice but to show David the gun and accidentally fire it – thus killing David. Jon’s decision to show David the gun is also tied to his environment, therefore, he has no choice but to show David the gun. Blaming Jon for David’s death will only cause change in the environment which is unjustifiable in any sense