Were Leopold and Loeb responsible for the crime they committed?

Read an excerpt from Clarence Darrow’s closing argument in the Leopold and Loeb murder case (see Darrow Plea Excerpts file below), and write an essay on the question: “Were Leopold and Loeb responsible for the crime they committed?”

Your essay (double spaced, approximately 750 – 800 words, file types: doc, docx, pdf) will be graded for its content, clarity, and grammar.

1. Summarize the main ideas of Darrow’s defense. His view, hard determinism, is explained in Week 2 Module, and you can use this information. This summary does not include your opinion rather it is an objective presentation of a position held by Darrow. It is important to get an accurate summary, so that you can adequately respond to it. Do not quote rather use your own words.

2. State your answer on the question above.

3. If you agree with Darrow that this crime was not their fault, develop an argument in support of his determinism. If you disagree with him, develop an argument showing that Leopold and Loeb had free will and should be held morally responsible for the crime. State the reason in a topic sentence, and then explain it. The video below might help you with writing this paragraph.

4. How would a libertarian and a compatibilist approach the question above?

5. In your opinion, which of the three positions is the most plausible?