What's the best response to someone who believes in hard determinism but also uses this to deny responsibility for any immoral actions they commit?

Iamdanno, 10 months ago

You punch them in the face, and then tell them they can’t be mad about it, because it’s not your fault, it was preordained.

detalferous, 10 months ago (edited 10 months ago)

Tell them they should have factored the consequences into their predetermined behavior.

They should also understand why consistent enforcement is necessary to prevent others from making the same preordained decision.

Even if the choice is only illusory, it’s indistinguishable from free will in every other respect… So we will treat it as such

PlogLod, 10 months ago

“Even if the choice is only illusory, it’s indistinguishable from free will in every other respect… So we will treat it as such”

I like that!

afraid_of_zombies, 10 months ago

There is a difference between free will and agency. I don’t think humans have free will, that requires the supernatural to be a thing and I don’t see evidence of that. Agency clearly does exist or else you would have to maintain that a billionaire and a slave have as much control over their life. Your friend is confusing the two.