Ethics and autism: The universality of Aristotle’s theory of moral responsibility

This paper evaluates whether Aristotle’s theory of moral responsibility is universal by comparing it with Socrates’ philosophy and applying it to autism spectrum disorder. It argues that Aristotle’s concepts of virtue, moral character, rational agency, and voluntary action provide a more complete account of moral responsibility. Using autism as a case study, the paper concludes that autism does not inherently prevent moral agency, as many autistic individuals possess the capacity for rational choice and moral development. Ultimately, it argues that Aristotle’s theory is broadly applicable across neurodiverse populations and offers a more universal framework for understanding moral responsibility.