Pitcovski’s explanation-based account of harm

In a recent article in this journal, Eli Pitcovski puts forward a novel, explanation-based account of harm. We seek to show that Pitcovski’s account, and his arguments in favor of it, can be substantially improved. However, we also argue that, even thus improved, the account faces a dilemma. The dil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophical studies 2024-03, Vol.181 (2-3), p.535-545
Main Authors: Carlson, Erik, Johansson, Jens, Risberg, Olle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Education
Epistemology
Ethics
Metaphysics
Philosophy
Philosophy of Language
Philosophy of Mind
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Summary:In a recent article in this journal, Eli Pitcovski puts forward a novel, explanation-based account of harm. We seek to show that Pitcovski’s account, and his arguments in favor of it, can be substantially improved. However, we also argue that, even thus improved, the account faces a dilemma. The dilemma concerns the question of what it takes for an event, E, to explain why a state, P, does not obtain. Does this require that P would have obtained if E had not occurred? Pitcovski’s theory faces problems no matter how one answers that question.
ISSN:0031-8116
1573-0883
1573-0883
DOI:10.1007/s11098-024-02115-9