Philosophy Jason Bridges

Jason Bridges (The University of Chicago) 9/25/17

“Comparison and Practical Reason”
 

Abstract:

It is very widely assumed that practical rationality is comparative: that what it is rational for an agent to do is a function of how the merits of the options available to her compare. This assumption is everywhere in contemporary practical philosophy, operating in the background of discussions of a range of topics in action theory and meta-ethics. But it is mistaken. Indeed, it is inconsistent with very basic features of the structure of agency. Comparison is not the ground of practical rationality, and will not make progress toward a satisfying philosophy of action until we can see clearly that, and why, this is so.