Final answer:
Hard determinism posits that all events, including human actions, are causally determined, which implies that moral responsibility is an untenable concept as individuals do not possess free will. Followers of hard determinism might focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution for criminal behavior, raising questions about the justice system in a determinist framework.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of hard determinism strongly impacts the idea of moral responsibility by asserting that every event, including human actions, is causally determined, and thus, free will is an illusion. This viewpoint challenges the traditional understanding of moral responsibility as it implies that individuals cannot be held ethically responsible for actions that are predetermined by prior events.
Those who subscribe to hard determinism may approach the notion of choice and accountability in actions such as criminal behavior by considering that such actions are the result of preceding causes outside of the individual's control. Consequently, rather than punishing criminals with retribution as if they had genuine choice, hard determinists might advocate for forms of rehabilitation or conditioning. Such perspectives drive the debate over whether punishment and blame are justified, and propel questions concerning how to deal with criminal behavior in a society that might theoretically reject the concept of free will.