Metaphysics and Epistemology Group (Tuesday - Week 7, MT24)

Abstract: “Can we be morally blameworthy for the outcomes of our actions? Some authors hold that we cannot (e.g., Khoury 2018), or at least that blameworthiness for outcomes is insignificant (e.g., Zimmerman 2002), asserting that “outcomes do not affect our worthiness of moral blame” (Talbert, forthcoming). In this talk, I argue that such views face challenges when considering the temporal dynamics of blameworthiness. Specifically, outcomes influence which actions a blameworthy agent must undertake to alleviate blameworthiness. Consequently, they impact the fitting tenacity of blame. Since outcomes directly shape this aspect of fitting blame, it is reasonable to hold agents morally blameworthy for the outcomes of their actions.”