Abstract
Nowadays alcohol addiction is regarded as a brain disease. Originally alcohol addiction was considered as a moral weakness, an objectionable habit or as a flawed will. What are the foundations of these different points of view? Alcohol
addiction as a moral weakness is based on virtue ethics, and the flawed will is recognized by the new compatibilism. Alcohol addiction as brain disease is based on recent developed techniques to research brain function. What is the implication for moral responsibility if acts are performed out of alcohol addiction? Arguments from all three views are suited to substantiate responsibility as well as lack of responsibility in a specific case. It is about causation between alcohol addiction and action with attention to qualitative reduction of decision-making capacity.
addiction as a moral weakness is based on virtue ethics, and the flawed will is recognized by the new compatibilism. Alcohol addiction as brain disease is based on recent developed techniques to research brain function. What is the implication for moral responsibility if acts are performed out of alcohol addiction? Arguments from all three views are suited to substantiate responsibility as well as lack of responsibility in a specific case. It is about causation between alcohol addiction and action with attention to qualitative reduction of decision-making capacity.
| Original language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 123-133 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Ethiek en Maatschappij |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 3/4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |