The Ethics of Blame

Abstract

It’s widely held that if an agent is not morally responsible for her action - i.e., if she is not deserving of blame - then we have a (decisive) reason to refrain from blaming her. But though this is true, the fact that someone is deserving of blame isn’t clearly sufficient for there to be most all-things-considered reasons for blaming that person. Other considerations bear on this question as well. In this chapter I offer an account of some of these considerations - particularly those that can serve as deontic constraints on blame. I also offer a reply to those skeptical of the “ethics of blame” on the grounds that such theorizing invariably appeals to the “wrong kind of reasons.”

Topics & Concepts