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Overview
These highly original essays develop themes implicit in Herbert Hart and the author's Causation in the Law (2nd ed. 1985). Why should we be held responsible for the harm we cause? Honoré proposes a theory of responsibility ('outcome responsibility'), according to which, to be responsible, it is sufficient to have intervened in the world. To act and to be responsible is to assume certain risks, so that responsibility can be a matter of luck rather than fault or merit. Whether responsibility carries with it moral blame or legal liability is an important but secondary question. With the help of this theory he explains the moral basis of strict liability and of tort law in general; shows when there is a moral difference between positive acts and omissions; and indicates the extent to which the circumstances that cause a wrongdoer to do wrong should affect his responsibility.Synopsis
These highly original essays develop themes implicit in Herbert Hart and the author's 'Causation in the Law'. With the help of this theory he explains the moral basis of strict liability and many other issues.
Booknews
Honor<'e> (formerly civil law, Oxford U.) develops themes implicit in his and Herbert Hart's 1985 . In seven essays, he proposes a theory of outcome responsibility that finds intervening in the world to be sufficient to make someone responsible. To act and be responsible is to take risks, he says, so that responsibility can be a matter of luck rather than fault or merit. US distribution is by ISBS. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)