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155The Idea of a Legitimate StatePhilosophy and Public Affairs 28 (1): 3-45. 1999.A legitimate state would have a right to rule. The problem is to understand, first, precisely what this right amounts to, and second, under what conditions a state would have it. According to the traditional account, the legitimacy of a state is to be explained in terms of its subjects’ obligation to obey the law. I argue that this account is inadequate. I propose that the legitimacy of a state would consist in its having a bundle of rights of various kinds, which I specify. Among other thi…Read more
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7Goldman on the Goals of DemocracyPhilosophy and Phenomenological Research 64 (1): 207-214. 2002.As practiced by Alvin Goldman, social epistemology addresses the epistemic consequences and requirements of social practices and institutions. Since political institutions have epistemic consequences and requirements, social epistemology has a great deal to offer to political philosophy. Goldman’s work in this area is rich and interesting, and, in his recent book, Knowledge in a Social World, he has much to say that deserves the attention of political philosophers. I highly recommend, for exampl…Read more
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220Do we have any justified moral beliefs? (review)Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 77 (3): 811-819. 2008.No Abstract
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10Normativity and the Very Idea of Moral EpistemologySouthern Journal of Philosophy 29 (S1): 189-210. 1991.
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20The Wrong Answer to an Improper Question?Canadian Journal of Philosophy 37 (sup1): 97-130. 2007.A person who sees that she morally ought to do something might wonder whether it would make sense for her to do it. Perhaps Aurelia is on a crowded bus, standing next to an old man whose wallet is almost falling out of his pocket. She says, “I see that the morally right thing would be to warn this man to take care of his wallet. But why should I do the right thing? In fact, why shouldn't I steal his wallet? It would be wrong of me to do this, but so what? No one is looking. I won't get caught. W…Read more
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224Moral Obligation and Moral MotivationCanadian Journal of Philosophy, Supplement 21 (sup1). 1995.'Internalism’ in ethics is a cluster of views according to which there is an ‘internal’ connection between moral obligations and either motivations or reasons to act morally; ‘externalism’ says that such connections are contingent. So described, the dispute between internalism and externalism may seem a technical debate of minor interest. However, the issues that motivate it include deep problems about moral truth, realism, normativity, and objectivity. Indeed, I think that some philosophers vie…Read more
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503The Oxford handbook of ethical theory (edited book)Oxford University Press. 2006.The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory is a major new reference work in ethical theory consisting of commissioned essays by leading moral philosophers. Ethical theories have always been of central importance to philosophy, and remain so; ethical theory is one of the most active areas of philosophical research and teaching today. Courses in ethics are taught in colleges and universities at all levels, and ethical theory is the organizing principle for all of them. The Handbook is divided into two …Read more
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399Introduction: Metaethics and normative ethicsIn The Oxford handbook of ethical theory, Oxford University Press. pp. 3--35. 2006.This chapter begins by explaining the distinction between meta-ethics and normative ethics. It then introduces the main issues in the two fields and provides a critical overview of the chapters in the volume. In meta-ethics, it focuses on explaining the different kinds of moral realism and anti-realism, including the divine command theory, naturalism, non-naturalism, relativism, nihilism, and non-cognitivism. Quasi-realism illustrates how the distinction between anti-realism and realism can beco…Read more
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University of California, DavisDepartment of Philosophy
Davis, California, United States of America
Areas of Interest
Meta-Ethics |
Normative Ethics |