Moral Nexus

The Moral Nexus presents a new interpretation of morality as a set of requirements that connect agents normatively to other persons in a nexus of moral relations. It argues that interpersonal morality is the domain of what we owe to each other, as we are all persons with equal moral standing. The book offers an interpretative argument for the relational approach, highlights neglected advantages, explores theoretical and practical presuppositions, and considers the normative implications of understanding morality in relational terms. It also provides a novel defense of the relational approach, emphasizing the special significance of moral requirements for agents who are deliberating about what to do and for those who stand to be affected by their actions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 26 February 2019
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Moral Nexus presents a groundbreaking perspective on morality, proposing that it can be understood as a set of requirements that establish normative connections between agents in a web of moral relations. This relational interpretation suggests that moral demands are directed towards individuals who have claims on the agent's compliance, creating a realm of interpersonal morality where each person holds equal moral standing.

The book offers an interpretative argument in favor of the relational approach, highlighting its neglected advantages and exploring the theoretical and practical foundations of relational moral duties. It also considers the normative implications of understanding morality in relational terms.

One of the key contributions of The Moral Nexus is its novel defense of the relational approach to morality. The book emphasizes the special significance that moral requirements hold for both agents who are deliberating about their actions and those who stand to be affected by them. It argues that relational moral requirements can connect us to all individuals whose interests are vulnerable to our agency, regardless of whether they have any prior relationship to us. This perspective challenges traditional notions of moral obligation and opens up new avenues for understanding our specific moral responsibilities to others.

The book also provides fresh accounts of moral phenomena that have seemed resistant to treatment in relational terms. By adopting a relational perspective, the book shows that these phenomena can be understood in terms of the relationships between agents and the moral requirements that arise from those relationships. This approach offers a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of morality, enabling us to address complex moral dilemmas and make more informed moral decisions.

In conclusion, The Moral Nexus presents a compelling and innovative perspective on morality, offering a fresh interpretation that emphasizes the relational nature of moral obligations. Through its interpretative argument, defense of the relational approach, and exploration of moral phenomena, the book provides valuable insights into the nature of morality and its implications for our lives. It is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, ethics, or the study of human behavior.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691172170