Borderline personality disorder and moral responsibility

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Mind
• Psychiatry
• Moral Psychology

Background:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often associated with intense anger and aggression.
• Individuals with BPD are frequently perceived as "difficult patients."
• Previous research has questioned the moral responsibility of individuals with BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the extent of moral responsibility for specific BPD actions (anger, aggression).
• To investigate if BPD diagnostic criteria serve as excusing factors for moral responsibility.
• To examine the role of the epistemic condition in BPD moral responsibility.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of moral responsibility conditions (control and epistemic).
• Examination of BPD diagnostic criteria in relation to moral agency.
• Literature review on BPD, moral responsibility, and related psychological concepts.

Main Results:

• BPD traits like emotional instability and impulsivity may function as excusing factors for the "control condition" of moral responsibility.
• The "epistemic condition" for moral responsibility is also impacted by BPD.
• Understanding the epistemic profile of individuals with BPD is crucial for assessing their moral responsibility.

Conclusions:

• Moral responsibility for specific BPD-related actions is complex and depends on factors beyond simple blame.
• BPD diagnostic criteria directly impact assessments of both control and epistemic conditions for moral responsibility.
• A nuanced understanding of the epistemic profile of individuals with BPD is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of their moral responsibility.