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Reasons and Defeasible Reasoning

Authors :
John Brunero
Source :
The Philosophical Quarterly. 72:41-64
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2021.

Abstract

According to the Reasoning View, a normative reason to φ is a premise in a pattern of sound reasoning leading to the conclusion to φ. But how should the Reasoning View account for reasons that are outweighed? One very promising proposal is to appeal to defeasible reasoning. On this proposal, when a reason is outweighed, the associated pattern of sound reasoning is defeated. Both Jonathan Way and Sam Asarnow have recently developed this idea in different ways. I argue that this appeal to defeasible reasoning faces a challenge, since reasons can be both outweighed and disabled. Way's view generates good predictions about outweighed reasons, but not about disabled reasons. Asarnow's view generates good predictions about disabled reasons, but not about outweighed reasons. We want a version of the Reasoning View that can generate good predictions about both. I present a version of the Reasoning View that can meet the challenge.

Details

ISSN :
14679213 and 00318094
Volume :
72
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Philosophical Quarterly
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........761cd82ad940f5aeb65004595585d629
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqab013