The Common Law Recognized That _______ Can Be a Defense

question 51

Essay

The common law recognized that _______ can be a defense to criminal charges if the defendant had been subjected to threats of harm that led to well-grounded apprehensions of death or serious bodily harm if the prohibited act was not done.

---

Definitions:

Moral Development

The process by which individuals acquire values, attitudes, and behaviors considered appropriate by their culture or society.

Formal-Operational Thinking

The stage of cognitive development, typically emerging in adolescence, where individuals gain the ability to think abstractly and logically.

Postconventional Level

The highest stage in Kohlberg's theory of moral development, where individuals base their moral decisions on universal ethical principles and internal beliefs rather than on societal norms or authority figures.

Moral Judgments

Evaluations or decisions based on the distinction between right and wrong, reflecting personal, social, or cultural values.