The question of Appropriateness

[xise]

I see responsibility, accountability, as percentages rather than an absolute on/off concept.

Mental illness decreases one's responsibility and accountability. But underneath it all, I still believe free will governs. However, giving into the mental illness is understandable.

Very rarely is any choice absolutely free. But I don't know of a choice that is not at least partially free. That is how I see free will.

If I'm being tortured and my family is tortured in front of me unless I do something that my torturers want, I'm probably going to do whatever they want. I believe I would have diminished accountability and responsibility in that situation, but ultimately I chose via my free will. It may not have been a fair or completely free choice, but I gave my free will.

That's how I see things. Nothing can take your free will consciousness away.

However, I can see responsibility or accountability so diminished as to be almost meaningless in cases of complete and utter deception (ie, press this button to start the dishwasher - omg it was actually linked to a nuclear launch button and I killed millions!). Perhaps certain mental illnesses can arise to this level. But I'm not sure self-deception is in the same category as deception by others. Definitely an interesting subject.