Collective Reasons and Agent-Relativity

Utilitas 34 (1):57-69 (2022)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Could it be true that even though we as a group ought to do something, you as an individual ought not to do your part? And under what conditions, in particular, could this happen? In this article, I discuss how a certain kind of case, introduced by David Copp, illustrates the possibility that you ought not to do your part even when you would be playing a crucial causal role in the group action. This is because you may have special agent-relative reasons against participating that are not shared by the group as a whole. I defend the claim that these are indeed cases in which you ought not to do your part in what the group ought to do. I then argue that we can expect these cases to produce a troubling kind of rational conflict.

Author's Profile

Alexander Dietz
University of Southern California (PhD)

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-12-24

Downloads
232 (#59,929)

6 months
109 (#29,976)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?