Normative Reasons
Between Reasoning and Explanation

The first accessible, detailed overview of the debates about normative reasons, developing a new theory based on why-questions.

Art?rs Logins (Author)

9781316513774, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 August 2022

270 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.51 kg

'Arturs Logins not only gives one of the most lucid presentations of the ever growing field of reasons and normativity, but also provides a challenging new account, which will become the focus of many discussions to come. His book is a great achievement.' Pascal Engel, EHESS, Paris

Reasons matter greatly to us in both ordinary and theoretical contexts, being connected to two fundamental normative concerns: figuring out what we should do and what attitudes to have, and understanding the duties and responsibilities that apply to us. This book introduces and critiques most of the contemporary theories of normative reasons considerations that speak in favor of an action, belief, or emotion - to explore how they work. Art?rs Logins develops and defends a new theory: the Erotetic view of reasons, according to which normative reasons are appropriate answers to normative why questions (Why should I do this?). This theory draws on evidence of how why-questions work in informal logic, language and philosophy of science. The resulting view is able to avoid the problems of previous accounts, while retaining all of their attractive features, and it also suggests exciting directions for future research. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Introduction
1. Stage Setting: Distinctions and Starting Points
2. The Reasoning View
3. The Explanation View
4. The Evidence View
5. New Proposal: The Erotetic View
6. An Application of the Erotetic View: Overcoming the Evidentialism–Pragmatism Dispute.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]