Equal Moral Status and the Collective Nature of Rationality

Abstract

Abstract This chapter defends the idea that imperfectly rational beings have equal moral status. It develops a concept of moral status and the relation of moral status to autonomy. It articulates a conception of imperfect rational nature and the collective character of rational nature. It first articulates some intuitive arguments for the truth of equal moral status despite the inequality of rational capacities. It enables us to see persons as having equal moral status on the basis of rational capacities even though they have unequal capacities. Beyond this, the chapter develops a positive argument for the thesis that reflective rational natures are equal in moral status based on the collective nature of rationality and the importance of autonomy as a marker of moral status. The chapter explores some objections to the argument and some limits to the strategy and what the next steps are to overcoming those limits.