On the Moral Irrelevance of Intention = 論意圖的道德無關性
Journal
臺大文史哲學報
Journal Volume
無
Journal Issue
56
Pages
393-436
Date Issued
2002
Author(s)
Abstract
While no one doubts the moral relevance of intention in assessing the moral character of the agent, it is controversial whether and how intention is relevant or irrelevant to the determination of the moral status of actions. J. Garcia calls the position endorsing the relevance of intention in determining the moral status of actions ”intention-sensitive ethics” (ISE) and its antithesis ”irrelevance thesis”(IT). In this article I contend that IT is in certain significant senses defensible. Ignoring this could bring about serious confusion in assessing the moral quality of an action. The article is structured as follows: (1) Introducing the issue and its significance. (2) Discussing the positions of two IT proponents, Judith Jarvis Thomson and James Rachels, and then, respectively, the positions of their critics, J. L. A. Garcia and Thomas D. Sullivan. (3) Presenting my own arguments based on the insights acquired from the discussion.
Type
journal article