Simply Responsible: Basic Blame, Scant Praise, and Minimal Agency

We evaluate people for various activities, blaming and praising them based on their outcomes. Matt King's book "Simply Responsible" proposes that the blameworthy artist is responsible for their art in the same way as the blameworthy thief. This radical proposal challenges the moralized nature of moral responsibility and suggests that we can understand responsible agency through a more general theory of responsibility. The book is also radical due to its simplicity, foregoing many of the complications that feature in other accounts of responsibility.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

We constantly assess individuals for a wide range of activities, assigning blame for errors, uninspired creations, and criminal acts. We also express admiration for exquisite brushwork, exceptional passes, and acts of kindness. We achieve various feats, from solving crossword puzzles to mastering guitar solos. However, our endeavors often result in failures, whether it's disappointing a friend or burning dinner. These actions can hold moral significance, but often they do not.

"Simply Responsible" presents a radical proposition that holds the blameworthy artist accountable in the same manner as the blameworthy thief. This concept applies to a wide range of activities, from lip-synching to long division, from murders to meringues. However, the fundamental responsibility relation, as coined by author Matt King, remains the same across all these cases. We are accountable for our actions first, and then we are judged as blameworthy or praiseworthy based on whether they are good or bad, according to various standards.

Why is this proposal considered radical? Firstly, much of the contemporary literature on moral responsibility has moralized its nature. According to most accounts, moral responsibility is either a distinct type of responsibility or is contingent upon moralized capacities. In contrast, King argues that a more comprehensive and unified understanding of responsible agency can be gained from a broader theory of responsibility. Secondly, the proposal is radical due to its simplicity. King foregoes many of the complexities that are present in other accounts of responsibility, advocating for a more straightforward theoretical framework.

In conclusion, our assessment of individuals for various activities involves assigning blame, admiration, and accountability. "Simply Responsible" presents a radical proposal that challenges the moralization of moral responsibility and advocates for a more general theory of responsibility. By embracing simplicity and foregoing unnecessary complexities, we can gain a deeper understanding of our agency and the consequences of our actions.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 223 x 145 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192883599