Additional information
by Michael McKenna (Author)
In this book Michael McKenna advances a new theory of moral responsibility, one that builds upon the work of P. F. Strawson. As McKenna demonstrates, moral responsibility can be explained on analogy with a conversation. The relation between a morally responsible agent and those who hold her morally responsible is similar to the relation between a speaker and her audience. A responsible agent's actions are bearers of meaning--agent meaning--just as a speaker's utterances are bearers of speaker meaning. Agent meaning is a function of the moral quality of the will with which the agent acts. Those who hold an agent morally responsible for what she does do so by responding to her as if in a conversation. By responding with certain morally reactive attitudes, such as resentment or indignation, they thereby communicate their regard for the meaning taken to be revealed in that agent's actions. It is then open for the agent held responsible to respond to those holding her responsible by
offering an apology, a justification, an excuse, or some other response, thereby extending the evolving conversational exchange.
responsible. Thus, neither being nor holding morally responsible is more basic than the other. They are mutually dependent.
Author Biography
Michael McKenna is Professor of Philosophy and Keith Lehrer Chair, University of Arizona.
