If We Live in a Physically Determined Universe, Are We Morally Responsible For Our Actions? P2

Continuation of part 1… 

Looking at the conditions on which we make our decisions is crucial when evaluating the “moral” aspect of moral responsibility. While we are never free from being held accountable for our actions, the degree of which punishment or blame is inflicted upon someone is determined on the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a court of law first degree murder could result in life imprisonment, versus killing someone in self defense which could result in no prison time. While both actions end in the death of another, the consequences dulled out are extremely different as we weigh the moral cost of each action differently. To give a less extreme example, someone who is born into poverty with no access to education or a job might resort to stealing in order to get by. The moral responsibility needed to be taken by a person stealing out of necessity is different from the person stealing unnecessarily. While stealing might not be the only option for a desperate person, it is an understandable choice. There isn’t hard determinism behind that action, not every person struggling will steal. However the choice is one driven by that need to get by, but that’s what it is, a choice, made out of a constrained version of free will.    

Using the excuse of determinism to relinquish moral responsibility is as destructive as Oedipus marrying his mom. While one’s surroundings, mental state, family, religion, ideologies, and more can help guide their decision making, nothing is finite. Even though cause and effect is a natural occurring cycle, humans are capable of more complex ideas and thoughts. We follow laws closely related to the world however are not completely tethered to them. Allowing for a form of constrained free will that steps out line with the rest of natural laws set in place. 

So what does this have to do with Bojack Horseman’s actions? The verdict is that he IS responsible for his actions even though he had a rough childhood.   Healing and positive change are always possible even if the process is hard or messy. Therefore, you cannot blame every harmful action in the present on something in the past because Bojack Horseman, like all of us, are capable and responsible for our own change.