Convergence and the agent's point of view
This paper examines the apparent tension in Michael Smith's The Moral Problem between his commitment to convergence in ideal desires and his acceptance of agentrelative reasons, particularly those grounded in first-personal perspectives like the parent-child relationship. While Smith maintains...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Belgrade - Faculty of Philosophy - Institute for Philosophy
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | Belgrade Philosophical Annual |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-3891/2024/0353-38912401145H.pdf |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832096712078917632 |
|---|---|
| author | Howard Nathan |
| author_facet | Howard Nathan |
| author_sort | Howard Nathan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines the apparent tension in Michael Smith's The Moral Problem between his commitment to convergence in ideal desires and his acceptance of agentrelative reasons, particularly those grounded in first-personal perspectives like the parent-child relationship. While Smith maintains that ideal desires are agent-invariant and converge on what is universally desirable, he also endorses agent-relative reasons that imply agent-centered normative commitments. I argue that resolving this tension requires rethinking convergence. Specifically, I propose extending the first-personal ("de se") nature of agent-relative reasons to the objects of convergence, which I term "de se aims." By recognizing these aims as value bearers, we can reconcile agentrelativity with the universality of desirability, preserving Smith's broader metaethical commitments. The proposal avoids the pitfalls of agent-relative value theories and illuminates the role of perspective-dependent aims in systematic justification. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5543e415cc443558342373e609d6287 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0353-3891 2956-0357 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Belgrade - Faculty of Philosophy - Institute for Philosophy |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Belgrade Philosophical Annual |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5543e415cc443558342373e609d62872025-02-05T12:20:31ZengUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of Philosophy - Institute for PhilosophyBelgrade Philosophical Annual0353-38912956-03572024-01-0137114516510.5937/BPA2437145H0353-38912401145HConvergence and the agent's point of viewHoward Nathan0University of Toronto, Department of PhilosophyThis paper examines the apparent tension in Michael Smith's The Moral Problem between his commitment to convergence in ideal desires and his acceptance of agentrelative reasons, particularly those grounded in first-personal perspectives like the parent-child relationship. While Smith maintains that ideal desires are agent-invariant and converge on what is universally desirable, he also endorses agent-relative reasons that imply agent-centered normative commitments. I argue that resolving this tension requires rethinking convergence. Specifically, I propose extending the first-personal ("de se") nature of agent-relative reasons to the objects of convergence, which I term "de se aims." By recognizing these aims as value bearers, we can reconcile agentrelativity with the universality of desirability, preserving Smith's broader metaethical commitments. The proposal avoids the pitfalls of agent-relative value theories and illuminates the role of perspective-dependent aims in systematic justification.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-3891/2024/0353-38912401145H.pdfconvergenceagent-relative reasonsagent-neutral valuefirstpersonal perspective |
| spellingShingle | Howard Nathan Convergence and the agent's point of view Belgrade Philosophical Annual convergence agent-relative reasons agent-neutral value firstpersonal perspective |
| title | Convergence and the agent's point of view |
| title_full | Convergence and the agent's point of view |
| title_fullStr | Convergence and the agent's point of view |
| title_full_unstemmed | Convergence and the agent's point of view |
| title_short | Convergence and the agent's point of view |
| title_sort | convergence and the agent s point of view |
| topic | convergence agent-relative reasons agent-neutral value firstpersonal perspective |
| url | https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-3891/2024/0353-38912401145H.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT howardnathan convergenceandtheagentspointofview |