Final answer:
Moral responsibility, according to the deep-self theory, is founded on actions that reflect an individual's core moral character. Compatibilists argue that moral responsibility requires freedom to make choices that align with one's deep-self, and research in neuroscience supports that the brain plays a significant role in moral decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of moral responsibility according to a deep-self theory of responsibility suggests that individuals have moral obligations that are rooted in their deepest values, beliefs, and principles which form the core of their identity. At the foundation, this theory posits that for someone to be morally responsible for their actions, those actions must align with their deep-self — their essential moral character and personal commitments. The deep-self theory suggests that individuals are morally praiseworthy or blameworthy based on actions that genuinely reflect their moral personhood — that aspect of themselves developed through deliberate ethical thinking and decision-making.
Compatibilists, who believe in both free will and determinism, argue that moral responsibility requires some kind of freedom of choice. Human beings, according to this view, are responsible for exercising their freedom responsibly, which includes making moral choices that take into consideration the impact on others and the world. This responsibility extends to the understanding that one's choices set examples for others and create consequences that are ultimately rooted in the individual's actions. Neuroscience inquiries into the brain's role in such decision-making support the idea that certain brain structures, such as mirror neurons and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, are deeply involved in our moral reasoning and decision processes.