The Importance of Being Rational

The Importance of Being Rational systematically defends a novel reasons-based account of rationality, arguing that what it is for one to be rational is to correctly respond to the normative reasons one possesses. Errol Lord's views about possession and correctly responding to reasons provide novel contributions to debates about what determines what we ought to do and causal theories of reacting for reasons. The book also solves two difficult problems about rationality, such as the New Evil Demon problem and the deontic significance of rationality, concluding that rationality is of fundamental importance to our deliberative lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Importance of Being Rational is a comprehensive book that presents a novel and reasoned account of rationality. Its central thesis asserts that being rational entails responding appropriately to the normative reasons one possesses. Errol Lord takes on the task of defending novel perspectives on the possession of reasons and the correct response to them. He demonstrates that these views not only support the book's main thesis but also address several significant problems that are independent of rationality.

The account of possession presented in the book offers fresh insights into debates about what determines our moral obligations. It challenges traditional notions of possession and proposes a more nuanced understanding that takes into account the role of intention and motivation in determining the rationality of our actions. By exploring the concept of possession, the book contributes to our understanding of how we ought to act and what our moral responsibilities are.

On the other hand, the account of correctly responding to reasons presents novel contributions to discussions about causal theories of reacting for reasons. Lord argues that our responses to reasons are not merely determined by our beliefs or desires but also by the normative reasons we possess. This perspective challenges the traditional view that our responses to reasons are solely driven by our subjective experiences or emotions. By emphasizing the role of reasons in our reactions, the book provides a more comprehensive understanding of how we come to make moral judgments and ethical decisions.

After defending views about possession and correctly responding, Lord proceeds to show that the account of rationality possesses the resources to address two challenging problems related to rationality. The first problem is known as the New Evil Demon problem. The book argues that the account can demonstrate that internal duplicates, or individuals who possess the same reasons but are not identical in other respects, necessarily have the same rational status. This resolution addresses the question of whether rationality is tied solely to physical or biological characteristics and opens up the possibility of recognizing rationality in non-human entities.

The second problem concerns the deontic significance of rationality. In recent years, there has been some doubt raised about whether we ought to be rational. The book argues that the requirements of rationality are ultimately the requirements that we ought to comply with. If this is the case, then rationality holds fundamental importance to our deliberative lives. It guides.

In conclusion, The Importance of Being Rational is a thought-provoking book that presents a novel and reasoned account of rationality. Through its exploration of the possession of reasons and the correct response to them, the book offers fresh insights into debates about moral obligations and causal theories of reacting for reasons. By defending novel perspectives on these topics, Lord demonstrates the significance of rationality in our deliberative lives and the importance of adhering to the requirements of rationality. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and will be of interest to scholars and students alike.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 232 x 156 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192882035