What does Agent-neutral mean?
A moral theory is agent-neutral if and only if it gives every agent the exact same set of substantive aims; otherwise, it’s agent-relative. Thus, traditional utilitarianism is an agent-neutral theory; it gives every agent the aim of maximizing utility. Egoism, by contrast, is an agent-relative theory.
Is a reason Agent-neutral?
If a reason can be given a general form which does not include an essential reference to the person who has it, it is an agent-neutral reason…. If on the other hand the general form of a reason does include an essential reference to the person who has it then it is an agent-relative reason.
What is neutral action?
Neutrality is the tendency not to side in a conflict (physical or ideological), which may not suggest neutral parties do not have a side or are not a side themselves. In colloquial use neutral can be synonymous with unbiased.
What is an agent-relative reason?
Philip Pettit puts forward a reason-statement-based version of the distinction: An agent-relative reason is one that cannot be fully specified without pronominal back-reference to the person for whom it is a reason.
What is Agent-neutral consequentialism?
Now, whereas agent-neutral consequentialists hold that outcomes rank the same for each agent, agent-relative consequentialists hold that there is potentially a different ranking for each agent.
What does agent centered mean?
The idea of an agent-centered prerogative is, roughly, the idea that a moral agent can have a prerogative not to do the act that produces the best consequences, all things considered from an impartial perspective.
What is being neutral?
adjective. not taking part or giving assistance in a dispute or war between others: a neutral nation during World War II. not aligned with or supporting any side or position in a controversy: The arbitrator was absolutely neutral. of or belonging to a neutral state or party: neutral territory.
What is the difference between Agent neutral and agent-relative reasons?
Agentneutral reasons are those that apply to anyone in a situation, regardless of any special relation-ship to the individuals or other elements involved. By contrast an agent-relative reason would apply to a person only because of such a relation.
What is agent relativism?
Agent relativism is the view that each person’s moral requirements. are relative to her desires or interests. Unless an action is suitably. related to those desires or interests she has no moral requirement to. perform that action.
What is agent based theory?
An agent-based theory emphasizes that virtues are determined by common-sense intuitions that we as observers judge to be admirable traits in other people. The third branch of virtue ethics, the ethics of care, was proposed predominately by feminist thinkers.
What is the agent-centered theory?
Agent-centered theories famously divide between those that emphasize the role of intention or other mental states in constituting the morally important kind of agency, and those that emphasize the actions of agents as playing such a role.
What is neutral biology?
(Science: chemistry) Having neither acid nor basic properties; unable to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red; said of certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with acid, and alkaline.