I think that isn't the point. If determinism is true, then you can make an excuse just as much as a AI programmed to make a excuse can do so, whether or not suc

I think that isn't the point. If determinism is true, then you can make an excuse just as much as a AI programmed to make a excuse can do so, whether or not such an excuse is valid. Having no choice about punishing or not punishing criminals does not mean that it is not possible to make an excuse, even if such an excuse is inevitable because you have no choice about how to make such an excuse.