Department Colloquium: Michael Smith

"Humeans vs Kantians on Agency"

Abstract: Humean and Kantian views of reasons for action differ in significant ways. I will argue that the differences between them can be traced to their very different conceptions of what ideal agents and the world in which they live would have to be like. When we see the differences between them in this light, it becomes clear that the Kantian's view is more plausible than the Humean's. This in turn provides us with the crucial premise in arguments for two conclusions: first, that morality provides us all with reasons for action, and second, that there is a single true morality.

Michael Smith is a Professor at Princeton University.