Morality, Normativity, and Standing

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter argues that the considerations about standing to hold morally accountable, especially standing to blame, extrapolate to a wide range of other illocutionary acts, e.g., encouraging. Specifically, they apply to the notion of epistemic blame. The chapter also draws some conclusions regarding the interpersonal nature of the moral norms constituting the ethics of holding accountable (and beyond). It uses these conclusions as a springboard for a critical examination of the influential distinction between consequentialist and deontologist moral theories. Specifically, it argues that standard formulations of this distinction overlook a central aspect of the ethics of blame, i.e., moral authority. Finally, it explores a possible implication of this interpersonal nature of norms for issues pertaining to moral encroachment and statistical discrimination.