Partiality, Asymmetries, and Morality's Harmonious Propensity.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Lange, Benjamin; Brandt, Joshua
- Source
- Philosophy & Phenomenological Research. Jul2024, Vol. 109 Issue 1, p30-54. 25p.
- Subject
- *INTERPERSONAL relations
*FRIENDSHIP
*HOSTILITY
*ETHICS
*HARMONY (Philosophy)
- Language
- ISSN
- 0031-8205
We argue for asymmetries between positive and negative partiality. Specifically, we defend four claims: i) there are forms of negative partiality that do not have positive counterparts; ii) the directionality of personal relationships has distinct effects on positive and negative partiality; iii) the extent of the interactions within a relationship affects positive and negative partiality differently; and iv) positive and negative partiality have different scope restrictions. We argue that these asymmetries point to a more fundamental moral principle, which we call Morality's Harmonious Propensity. According to this principle, morality has a propensity toward preserving positive relationships and dissolving negative ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]