The Frankfurt Cases

The Frankfurt Cases are thought experiments in ethics that challenge the idea that moral rightness depends on whether a person’s actions are based on genuine desire or free will. They imagine a scenario where a person wouldn’t want to act differently because an external person has already ensured they do what’s right—like an neuroscientist blocking unwanted thoughts. These cases suggest that even if someone isn’t exercising free will in a traditional sense, they can still be morally justified if their actions align with their desires. Thus, moral responsibility may not hinge solely on free agency but also on alignment with one’s desires and intentions.