Normative reasons as good bases

Abstract

In this paper, I defend a new theory of normative reasons called reasons as good bases (RGB), according to which a normative reason to u is something that is a good basis for uing. The idea is that the grounds on which we do thingsbases-can be better or worse as things of their kind, and a normative reason-a good reason-is something that is just a good instance of such a ground. After introducing RGB, I clarify what it is to be a good basis, and argue that RGB has various attractive features: it has intuitive implications, makes good sense of the weights of reasons, and attractively explains the relationship between normative reasons and motivating reasons. I then briefly defend the view from objections and compare it to rivals. Finally, I sketch two possible implications of RGB: some kind of constitutivism, according to which the norms that govern us are explained by the nature of agency, and second, the claim that agents who do things for reasons generally do them for good reasons.

No Reasons to Believe the False

“…Another way to approach the issue is, as already suggested by Williams, in terms of regret and conflict (Williams, , p. 170; Gregory, , p. 2303; also De Sousa, , p. 536; Adler, , pp. 6–7; Owens, , p. 388).…”

Deliberation, Reasons, and Alternatives

“…20 See, for a particularly relevant example, Jordan (2014), who argues on the basis of virtuously whole-hearted action, which is undertaken with no consideration of alternatives at all, that at least some reasons (those which support such action) are not contrastive. 21 Compare Gregory (2016), who holds that what it is to be a reason is to be a good basis. 22 As I noted in footnote 1, one reply to these kinds of cases is that the fact that I'm expecting a delivery isn't really a reason to make pizza, but a reason to be at home for the delivery.…”

Right in some respects: reasons as evidence

“…So reasons cannot simply be evidence of what one ought to do. ( 2016 : 2303) To appreciate this, consider a version of an earlier example. That Paris, Texas is showing is a reason for Miyuki to go the cinema.…”

“…Broome ( 2013 : §4.3) tells a rather different story, which I will not explore here. For criticism of Broome’s account of contributory reasons, see Brunero ( 2013 ), Brunero (Forthcoming), Gregory ( 2016 ) and Kearns and Star ( 2008 : 42–44).…”