Galen Strawson
To be truly responsible one would have to be the cause of oneself: that is impossible.
Life
Galen Strawson (born 1952), a British philosopher and the son of philosopher Peter Strawson, has taught at Oxford, Reading and Austin (Texas). He argues that true moral responsibility is impossible, since nobody can be the ultimate cause of what they are: his 'Basic Argument'. He also defends 'real materialism': conscious experience is part of physical nature.
Main works
Develops the argument against ultimate responsibility.
The article presenting the 'Basic Argument'.
A study of what a self is and of our experience of it.
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceRealistic monism: experience is a real part of the physical world, so matter itself must have an experiential nature (panpsychism).
G. Strawson, 'Realistic Monism: Why Physicalism Entails Panpsychism' (2006)
Basic Argument: to be responsible one must be causa sui in some mental respect, which is impossible, so ultimate moral responsibility cannot exist.
G. Strawson, 'The Impossibility of Moral Responsibility' (1994); Freedom and Belief (1986)