Frankfurt Cases

Frankfurt Cases are thought experiments in philosophy that challenge the idea that moral responsibility depends solely on whether someone has a free and rational choice. Imagine a person who intends to do something wrong but is prevented by a powerful, hidden controller—yet if that controller had not intervened, the person still would have chosen to do wrong. In such cases, the person is considered morally responsible because their decision aligns with their desires and intentions, despite external influence. These scenarios show that moral responsibility can be maintained even when external factors influence choices, questioning traditional views on free will and culpability.