Frankfurt Example

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Bono:
Suppose a mad scientist engineers a device that, when a person is faced with the chance to steal a wallet with low risk of being caught, will prevent the person from choosing not to steal it--that is, if the person chooses not to steal it, the device is activated and the choice will be overidden. Now, the person into whom this device is implanted practices several 'snatchings'. But the kicker is, the device was never activated, that is, the person never chose to not steal it. Was this person free in decicing to steal the wallets, and should he be held morally responsible?

afleitch:
What do you mean by 'practices' snatchings? Is he made aware of the experiment before hand, is he guided in anyway by the scientist giving tips to his test subject?

Bono:
I don't see why it matters, but no to both questions if it'll get someone to answer.

Tetro Kornbluth:
No/Yes.

I'll write an explanation later.

Gustaf:
This is a rejection of Kant's "ought implies can," I gather?

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