Biological Determinism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility Insig
This book examines the way in which new discoveries about genetic and neuroscience are influencing our understanding of human behaviour. As scientists unravel more about the ways in which genes and the environment work together to shape the development of
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Chris Willmott
Biological Determinism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility Insights from Genetics and Neuroscience 123
SpringerBriefs in Ethics
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/10184
Chris Willmott
Biological Determinism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility Insights from Genetics and Neuroscience
123
Chris Willmott Department of Molecular and Cell Biology University of Leicester Leicester UK
ISSN 2211-8101 SpringerBriefs in Ethics ISBN 978-3-319-30389-5 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-30391-8
ISSN 2211-811X (electronic) ISBN 978-3-319-30391-8
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016933111 © The Author(s) 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland
For my parents, Peter and Ann, in the year of their golden wedding
Preface
It is a sad reality that we live in a world in which people commit crime. Every day, in every city, in every country, the actions of one individual will impact detrimentally on the person or the property of somebody else. As part of the commitment to living in civilised society, those accused of carrying out antisocial behaviour of sufficient gravitas will have the evidence against them considered in a court of law. If found guilty, they will be required to fulfil some suitable punishment. Suppose, for a moment, that it could be shown that the person who had perpetrated a crime had been literally unable to avoid carrying it out. Under such circumstances, would it still be appropriate to punish them for their actions? As details regarding the influence of both genetic characteristics and brain neurochemistry on human behaviour are being uncovered, some scientists and philosophers are claiming that traditional notions of free will, of moral responsibility and, therefore, of accountability for one’s actions need to be re-evaluated. In order to investiga
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