Nettles in the Nexus: On Wallace on Relational Morality

Abstract Wallace aims to interpret all of morality in relational terms. The paradigmatic features of his relational interpretation derive from the case of promising. I agree both that morality has a rich and interesting relational core and that promises illustrate it well. Against Wallace, however, I argue that other significant elements of morality resist assimilation to his relational interpretation. In some cases, this is because their relational character differs notably from that of promising. In other cases, important elements of morality lack a relational character altogether. Wallace’s interpretation therefore stands to be improved by sharply reducing the scope of its ambition.