Applied Ethics

This page was written by Lib Fisher, an A level student at Arnewood, 2007

Environment

Freewill would view that we have our own right as to whether or not we recycle. It is our own individual choice. A determinist would approach the issue of the environment that we have no choice as to whether or not we recycle as our action is somewhat inevitable therefore it cannot be changed. 

War

When applying determinism to war it can be seen by  people that the army  cannot be held morally responsible for going to war  but that it was  something that was pre-determined for them to do and there was no way of influencing their moral decisions and actions as they had already been decided . It raises the ongoing issue of “If their  actions are determined in what way can they be held morally responsible for their  actions”. This is what many libertarians disagree upon. Freewill would view that we have our own right as to whether or not we participate in war as we have the ability to choose. We are not forced to choose any certain action.

Sex

Determinism would view that if people aren’t free then the possibility of making moral choices is denied from them. Therefore we cannot be blamed for our action as the actions we have done are inevitable and there is no way in which we could deny our actions in any way. When looking at rape this is a hard issue as if the criminal was not free then how can they be held morally responsible for own actions and be punished as a consequence? 
  
Freewill would view that people have their own moral judgement ability. It varies through individuality on what kind of decision they are to make.  When looking at consent they have the ability to choose whether it is right or wrong.

There is not complete freedom to consent if:

• money is involved
• alcohol/drugs have been consumed
• the husband is seen to have some sort of ‘right’ to have sex
• one person does not want to have sex
• a person is under age (this may be the legal age, 16 in the UK, or some other age when they can freely choose)
• someone is mentally ill