1. Moral Responsibility Excusability: we are not morally responsible if:
the consequences of actions are unexpected
actions are constrained by external threats or uncontrollable internal forces
consequences of acts are beyond our control
we do not have the ability or opportunity to do otherwise

2. Moral Responsibility (continued)
Determinism/Libertarianism/Compatibilism
Determinism: we are not morally responsible because our actions are not really free
Libertarianism: we are morally responsible because our actions are based on reasons (not causes) over which we have control
Compatibilism: we are morally responsible when our actions are caused by our choices; if caused by other forces, we are not responsible

3. Principles of a Moral Code
A set of values becomes a person’s moral code only as a result of personal reflection
Ethical behavior is based on wanting to do the right thing, not simply acting because we were raised a certain way or people expect it
Considering the consequences of our actions helps us determine the moral value of actions

4. Social Philosophy
Social philosophy is not ethics, because it is not concerned with identifying a norm of good conduct; nor is it politics, because it is not concerned with describing how power is expressed in institutions. Instead, it evaluates institutional power in terms of moral principles
Issues: how are individuals related to society? •how is State authority justified?
what is the role of government and law? •what are justice, civil rights, freedom?