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Stop to Think 3

Stop to Think 3

Q 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?

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Hard determinism: John was not morally responsible for killing David because he could not have done otherwise. The gun went off because of the combination of the gun's firing mechanism, John's handling, and the fact that the gun was loaded. These factors were all determined by causes outside of John's control. Libertarianism: John was morally responsible for killing David because he could have done otherwise. Although the gun went off because of the combination of the gun's firing mechanism, John's handling, and the fact that the gun was loaded, John could have chosen not to handle the firearm carelessly.