Philosophy

The Normativity of What We Care About

A Love-Based Theory of Practical Reasons Katrien Schaubroeck

a love-based reason theory as a new perspective in the debate on practical reasons

€ 39,50 / £35.00 isbn 978 90 5867 905 5 06/2012 16 x 24 cm Paperback ca. 256 p. nur 737 English Reasons and obligations pervade our lives. The alarm clock gives us a reason to get up in the morning, the expectations of colleagues or clients give us a reason to do our jobs well, the misery in developing countries gives us a reason to donate money, headaches give us a reason to take an aspirin. Looking for unity in variety, philosophers wonder what makes a consideration count as a reason to do something. The nature and source of practical reasons has been debated intensively over the last three decennia in analytic philosophy. This book discusses the three most influential theories in current debates, referred to as the desire-based, the value-based, and the rationality-based theories of practical reasons. The author argues that all three are defective because they overlook the role of what agents care about. In the end it is our being concerned about other people, leading a meaningful life, and being healthy (among other things) that give us reasons to do certain things rather than others. Drawing on insights from Harry Frankfurt, the author presents a love-based reason theory as a new and promising perspective in the debate on practical reasons.

katrien schaubroeck is postdoctoral researcher at the Universiteit Utrecht, working on the nwo-project ‘What can the humanities contribute to our practical self-understanding?’

Also of interest The Concept of Love in 17th and 18th Century Philosophy Gábor Boros, Herman De Dijn, Martin Moors (eds) €34,50 / £30.00, isbn 978 90 5867 651 1, January 2008, English