PASSION HAS NO REPRESENTATIVE QUALITY
January 7th, 2007, search relatedRelated posts :: PASSION HAS NO REPRESENTATIVE QUALITY :: PASSION HAS NO REPRESENTATIVE QUALITY :: Uber-romantik :: Uber-romantik
> (3) I believe that to equivocate that humans are causally determined on
> the one hand, but are to be held to account for their actions on the other
> is hypocritical. Hume should have admitted the obvious, which is perfectly
> in keeping with his position regarding his statement that *reason is slave
> of the passions.”
A doggy is causally determined (I guess). I.e., one does not ascribe free
choice to a doggy. But, if I want to educate the doggy to refrain from
urinating on the floor, I will have to inflict some sanctions upon it, in
the case that it behaves like that. It is for its “education”
(conditioning).
So, there is no contradiction between considering that people are causal
automata (deterministic mechanisms) and inflicting punishment upon people
for their crimes. It is all for the better conditioning of those biological
mechanisms. Such conditioning serves the public interest, and it prevents
random violence from people addicted to crime and violence.
Reason may in most cases be slave of the passions, but then, we have to
educate (perform conditioning upon) the passions. This way we prevent many
automata from turning into criminal automata.
Greetings,
Tudor Georgescu
