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David Velleman (NYU): A Reasonable Relativism

Friday, January 27, 2012 - 3:00pm

Cohen 402

Abstract:  I outline a version of relativism about the normative force of reasons. Reasons are relative to a perspective, I argue, in a sense that is best elucidated by John Perry's work on "the essential indexical". My version of relativism rules out moral disagreement between occupants of different perspectives, but it is "reasonable" in the sense that it still allows them to disagree about how to live.

co-sponsored with PPE and the Philosophy Ethics Fund.