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nonalt's avatar

Curious what you make of new directions in consequentialism such as 1) scalar consequentialism (no permissible/impermissible, just better and worse) and 2) agent-centered consequentialism.

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/morality-by-degrees-9780198844990

https://www.pdcnet.org/C1257AEE006039C4/file/D211B6D6D020A421852585A60049C78E/$FILE/resphilosophica_2020_0097_0003_0003_0020.pdf

https://academic.oup.com/book/8154

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nonalt's avatar

Nice article!

I've always wondered what deontology should say about the dynamics of relationship formation.

You write:

"Special obligations are obligations we have to people due to our relationships with them. For example, you might be obligated to help your friend over a stranger because they are your friend."

In that case, would it be best to minimize forming relationships in the first place, so that we can avoid burdensome obligations, which lessen our ability to focus on helping those most in need from an agent-neutral standpoint?

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