Freedom and Resentment

work by Strawson

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July 23, 2026

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P.F. Strawson's work, particularly his essay "Freedom and Resentment," explores the relationship between free will and moral responsibility. He argues that our practices of holding people morally responsible are deeply rooted in human psychology and our "reactive attitudes," such as resentment and gratitude.12

Strawson suggests that whether determinism is true or not is beside the point when it comes to moral responsibility. We cannot help but have these emotional responses to the actions of others, and these attitudes are what justify our practices of praise and blame. He proposes a form of compatibilism, where free will and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism, focusing on the psychological reality of our moral sentiments rather than abstract metaphysical debates.1

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free will and moral responsibility
Contemporary compatibilism
In “Freedom and Resentment” (1962), the British philosopher P.F. Strawson (1919–2006) introduced an influential version of compatibilism grounded in human psychology. Strawson observed that people display emotions such as resentment, anger, gratitude, and so on in response to the actions of others. He argued that holding…
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In “Freedom and Resentment” (1962), the British philosopher P.F. Strawson (1919–2006) introduced an influential version of compatibilism grounded in human psychology. Strawson observed that people display emotions such as resentment, anger, gratitude, and so on in response to the actions of others. He argued that holding…
Read More