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Schizophrenia and Moral Responsibility: A Kantian Essay
1Department of Philosophy, University of Amsterdam, Oude Turfmarkt 141-147, 1012 CG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
This paper explores Kantian ethics to determine why blaming individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders is inappropriate. It argues that cognitive impairments affect agency and moral responsibility, particularly in cases of delusion and disorganization.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Ethics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The moral blameworthiness of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders remains a complex ethical issue.
- Kantian philosophy offers a framework for understanding agency and responsibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a Kantian ethical analysis of blaming individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
- To reconstruct Immanuel Kant's account of mental disorders and psychotic symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Reconstruction of Kant's theory of mental disorder, focusing on cognitive impairments.
- Development of a Kantian Quality of Will Thesis.
- Analysis of real-life cases of delusional and disorganized patients.
Main Results:
- Kantian cognitive impairment explanations for psychotic symptoms are plausible.
- Delusional patients unable to engage in epistemic reasoning are exempt from doxastic, not moral, responsibility.
- Disorganized patients unable to form intentions are exempt from moral responsibility due to unmet agency conditions.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be exempt from moral blame based on their cognitive impairments and agency.
- The ability to engage in an exchange of reasons and form intentions are crucial for moral responsibility within a Kantian framework.
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