Hard Determinism
The position that determinism is true (all events are causally determined) and free will is impossible; therefore, humans lack genuine moral responsibility. Hard determinists like Darrow argued that criminals are products of circumstance and genetics, deserving rehabilitation rather than punishment based on responsibility.
Real World
Clarence Darrow's 1924 defence of Leopold and Loeb — arguing two murderers were products of wealth, upbringing and circumstance — is the textbook real-world deployment of hard determinist reasoning against criminal responsibility.
Exam Focus
When evaluating hard determinism, use the 'ought implies can' principle as a counter-argument — examiners reward engagement with this standard objection.
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