The JoJo Thought Experiment: Upbringing and Moral Responsibility

The JoJo Thought Experiment

• 💡 The JoJo thought experiment explores whether an unusual upbringing, like that of a ruthless dictator's son, affects an individual's full moral responsibility for their actions.
• 🎯 JoJo, raised by a tyrannical father, inherits his rule without witnessing his father's cruelty or subjects' fear, only strength and obedience.

Philosophical Perspectives on Responsibility

• 🧠 Deep Self View (Gary Watson, Harry Frankfurt) posits that individuals are morally responsible for actions reflecting their deepest values, with less responsibility for actions under external duress.
• ⚖️ JoJo's actions stem from his values, making him responsible under the Deep Self View, as he has no external excuses like duress or intoxication.

Susan Wolf's Argument on Upbringing

• ⚠️ Philosopher Susan Wolf argues that while JoJo's actions reflect his deep self, his compromised upbringing should lessen his moral responsibility.
• ❓ Wolf questions if JoJo, lacking a normal childhood and opportunity to learn right from wrong, can be fully blamed for his cruelty.
• 🧩 If JoJo's deep self is shaped by his environment, it raises questions about whether anyone is truly responsible for their actions, a view held by incompatibilists.

Moral Competence and Change

• 📈 Compatibilists argue that even if decisions are predetermined, responsibility can still be assigned.
• 🚫 Wolf suggests JoJo lacks basic moral competence because he had no meaningful opportunity to learn right from wrong and shows no capacity to self-reflect or change his values.
• 🌟 The possibility of JoJo's sister developing different values, or a rogue court member attempting to teach him morality, suggests JoJo might have had opportunities to develop differently, potentially increasing his moral responsibility.
• 🤔 Ultimately, the experiment prompts reflection on how to determine moral responsibility and whether one's upbringing inevitably dictates their moral compass.