Biological Determinism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility

Insights from Genetics and Neuroscience

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Criminal law, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book Biological Determinism, Free Will and Moral Responsibility by Chris Willmott, Springer International Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Chris Willmott ISBN: 9783319303918
Publisher: Springer International Publishing Publication: March 8, 2016
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Chris Willmott
ISBN: 9783319303918
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Publication: March 8, 2016
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

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 our brains, their studies have importance beyond the narrow confines of the laboratory. This emerging knowledge has implications for our notions of morality and criminal responsibility. The extent to which “biological determinism” can be used as an explanation for our behaviour is of interest to philosophers reflecting on the free will versus determinism debate. It also has repercussions for the criminal justice system; in courtrooms around the world, defence lawyers are beginning to appeal to genetic and brain imaging data as grounds for finding their clients not guilty. Can a defendant’s genes or the structure of his brain be used as an excuse for his behaviour? Is criminality “hardwired”? Is it legitimate to claim “I couldn’t help it, my genes made me do it”? This book appeals to anyone interested in the link between behaviour and genetics, the science and philosophy of moral responsibility and/or criminal law.​

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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 our brains, their studies have importance beyond the narrow confines of the laboratory. This emerging knowledge has implications for our notions of morality and criminal responsibility. The extent to which “biological determinism” can be used as an explanation for our behaviour is of interest to philosophers reflecting on the free will versus determinism debate. It also has repercussions for the criminal justice system; in courtrooms around the world, defence lawyers are beginning to appeal to genetic and brain imaging data as grounds for finding their clients not guilty. Can a defendant’s genes or the structure of his brain be used as an excuse for his behaviour? Is criminality “hardwired”? Is it legitimate to claim “I couldn’t help it, my genes made me do it”? This book appeals to anyone interested in the link between behaviour and genetics, the science and philosophy of moral responsibility and/or criminal law.​

More books from Springer International Publishing

Cover of the book Bioinformatics Research and Applications by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Convolution Copula Econometrics by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Blockchain – ICBC 2018 by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book After Marriage in the Long Eighteenth Century by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Dermatology and Diabetes by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book A Brain for Business – A Brain for Life by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Artificial Intelligence for Knowledge Management by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Traffic Measurement for Big Network Data by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book New Techniques in Systems Neuroscience by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Methods of Solving Nonstandard Problems by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Studying Animal Languages Without Translation: An Insight from Ants by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Computer Vision – ECCV 2018 by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Resource Management for Big Data Platforms by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Portfolio Selection Using Multi-Objective Optimisation by Chris Willmott
Cover of the book Software-Defined Cloud Centers by Chris Willmott
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy