Responsive Reasons in Normative Ethics

This dissertation leverages recent developments in fittingness to make progress in fundamental issues in moral philosophy. I argue that fit-related reasons for action---\textit{responsive reasons}---have great theoretical utility in defending nonconsequentialist ethics. They draw a sharp boundary between consequentialist and nonconsequentialist theories. They constitute the motives that confer moral worth. They explain why it is wrong to kill innocents even to prevent more killings.

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Publication Details

Journal
UNC Libraries
Published
2026-05-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17615/0p0v-8c53
Primary Topic
Free Will and Agency
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Responsive Reasons in Normative Ethics

Nolan Art Whitaker
UNC Libraries
Free Will and Agency
article

Responsive Reasons in Normative Ethics

Nolan Art Whitaker
article en

Abstract

This dissertation leverages recent developments in fittingness to make progress in fundamental issues in moral philosophy. I argue that fit-related reasons for action---\textit{responsive reasons}---have great theoretical utility in defending nonconsequentialist ethics. They draw a sharp boundary between consequentialist and nonconsequentialist theories. They constitute the motives that confer moral worth. They explain why it is wrong to kill innocents even to prevent more killings.

UNC Libraries
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Free Will and Agency
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