Probabilizing the end

Philosophical Studies 165 (1):95-112 (2013)
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Abstract

Reasons transmit. If one has a reason to attain an end, then one has a reason to effect means for that end: reasons are transmitted from end to means. I argue that the likelihood ratio (LR) is a compelling measure of reason transmission from ends to means. The LR measure is superior to other measures, can be used to construct a condition specifying precisely when reasons transmit, and satisfies intuitions regarding end-means reason transmission in a broad array of cases

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Author's Profile

Jacob Stegenga
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Citations of this work

Instrumental reasons.Niko Kolodny - 2018 - In Daniel Star, The Oxford Handbook of Reasons and Normativity. New York, NY, United States of America: Oxford University Press.
Measuring effectiveness.Jacob Stegenga - 2015 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 54:62-71.
Simple Probabilistic Promotion.Eden Lin - 2018 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 96 (2):360-379.
Ends to Means.Matthew S. Bedke - 2017 - Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy 12 (1):6–28.

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References found in this work

Groundwork for the metaphysics of morals.Immanuel Kant - 1785 - New York: Oxford University Press. Edited by Thomas E. Hill & Arnulf Zweig.
Impartial reason.Stephen L. Darwall - 1983 - Ithaca N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.Immanuel Kant - 1996 - In Mary J. Gregor, Practical Philosophy. Cambridge University Press. pp. 37-108.
Nature's Capacities and Their Measurement.Nancy Cartwright - 1994 - New York: Oxford University Press UK.

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