Those who commit acts of violence are surely responsible for them; they are not dupes or mechanisms of an impersonal social force, but agents with responsibility. On the other hand, these individuals are formed, and we would be making a mistake if we reduced their actions to purely self-generated acts of will or symptoms of individual pathology of 'evil'.
Judith Butler argues that individuals who engage in violence bear full responsibility for their actions, emphasizing that they are not merely victims of societal forces. Instead, they are active agents who make conscious choices. This viewpoint highlights the importance of recognizing personal accountability in acts of violence.
However, Butler cautions against oversimplifying the motivations behind violent behavior as merely stemming from individual will or moral failings. She suggests that these individuals are shaped by their circumstances and experiences, indicating that a more nuanced understanding is required to grasp the complexity of violence in society.
