Abstract
Individuals are owed equal respect. But on the basis of what property of individuals are they owed such respect? A popular Kantian answer —rational agency — appears less plausible in light of the growing psychological evidence that human choice is subject to a wide array of biases (framing, laziness, etc.); human beings are neither equal in rational agency nor especially robust rational agents. Defenders of this Kantian answer thus need a non-ideal theory of equal respect for rational agency, one that takes seriously our characteristic deficiencies of practical rationality without junking the notion that rational agency entitles us to equal respect. This article defends an understanding of respect for rational agency wherein the object of such respect is individuals’ aspiration to rationally govern their lives. This understanding of respect for rational agency retains the core notion of respect as a kind of deference, directs respect at persons, has suitably egalitarian implications, and does not require us to deny the aforementioned psychological evidence regarding the infirmities of human rationality.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Oxford Studies in Normative Ethics |
Editors | Mark Timmons |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Chapter | 8 |
Pages | 182-203 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Volume | 10 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780198867944, 9780198867951 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Oct 2020 |
Publication series
Name | Oxford Studies in Normative Ethics |
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Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Volume | 10 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- respect
- equality
- rational agency
- rationality
- choice biases
- non-ideal theory
- Kantian ethics
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Michael Cholbi
- School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences - Chair in Philosophy
Person: Academic: Research Active