Philosophy Normative Ethics Questions Long
The difference between moral luck and moral responsibility lies in the way they attribute praise or blame to individuals for their actions and outcomes. While both concepts are concerned with the evaluation of moral actions, they approach the issue from different perspectives.
Moral luck refers to the idea that factors beyond an individual's control can influence the moral assessment of their actions. It suggests that luck, chance, or external circumstances can affect the outcome of an action, and subsequently, the moral judgment of that action. In other words, moral luck recognizes that individuals can be held morally responsible for things that are beyond their control.
There are four main types of moral luck: resultant luck, circumstantial luck, constitutive luck, and causal luck. Resultant luck refers to the luck involved in the consequences of an action. For example, a driver who accidentally hits a pedestrian due to poor visibility may be seen as morally unlucky, even though they did not intend to cause harm. Circumstantial luck refers to the luck involved in the circumstances surrounding an action. For instance, a person who steals to feed their starving family may be seen as morally unlucky due to their unfortunate situation. Constitutive luck refers to the luck involved in an individual's character or personality traits. For example, someone who is naturally inclined to be more empathetic may be seen as morally lucky compared to someone who lacks empathy. Lastly, causal luck refers to the luck involved in the causal chain leading up to an action. For instance, a person who unintentionally causes harm due to a series of unforeseen events may be seen as morally unlucky.
On the other hand, moral responsibility focuses on the idea that individuals can be held accountable for their actions and the consequences that result from them. It emphasizes the role of personal agency, free will, and intentional choices in determining moral praise or blame. Moral responsibility assumes that individuals have control over their actions and should be held accountable for the foreseeable consequences of those actions.
While moral luck acknowledges the influence of external factors on moral assessment, moral responsibility places greater emphasis on personal agency and intentionality. It argues that individuals should be held responsible for their choices and actions, regardless of the external circumstances or outcomes.
In summary, moral luck recognizes that luck and external factors can influence the moral assessment of actions, while moral responsibility emphasizes personal agency and accountability for one's choices and their foreseeable consequences. Both concepts contribute to the complex understanding of moral evaluation and the attribution of praise or blame in ethical discussions.