The Compound Relational Structure of Moral Claim-Rights

Abstract Moral claim-rights possess three important relational features: direction , standing , and status. I set out an analysis of the structure of moral claim-rights that accounts for these three features. The compound relational account I defend comprises two theses. The independence thesis denies any entailment between the first two features of claim-rights—direction and standing are two conceptually independent normative relations. The integration thesis asserts that moral claim-rights consist in the substantive justificatory union of these two relations. The third feature of claim-rights inheres in the nature of this union.

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Publication Details

Journal
Canadian Journal of Philosophy
Published
2026-09-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/can.2026.10105
Primary Topic
Philosophical Ethics and Theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

The Compound Relational Structure of Moral Claim-Rights

Simon May
Canadian Journal of Philosophy
Philosophical Ethics and Theory
article

The Compound Relational Structure of Moral Claim-Rights

Simon May
article en

Abstract

Abstract Moral claim-rights possess three important relational features: direction , standing , and status. I set out an analysis of the structure of moral claim-rights that accounts for these three features. The compound relational account I defend comprises two theses. The independence thesis denies any entailment between the first two features of claim-rights—direction and standing are two conceptually independent normative relations. The integration thesis asserts that moral claim-rights consist in the substantive justificatory union of these two relations. The third feature of claim-rights inheres in the nature of this union.

Canadian Journal of Philosophy
Florida State University (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Philosophical Ethics and Theory
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