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So if we really assume determinism, does that mean that we'll have to make some changes to the legal system? For example, getting rid of the insanity defense[0]
by mikevm 5y ago
So if we really assume determinism, does that mean that we'll have to make some changes to the legal system? For example, getting rid of the insanity defense[0]?
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defense
- naasking 5y agoI don't see why. Whether someone is responsible includes a consideration as to whether their behaviour is governed by somewhat coherent and articulable reasons. If they have reasons for why they acted a certain way, that indicates a responsiveness to feedback that changes those reasons, such that they may not make the same choice again in the future. Clearly the insane don't satisfy this requirement.