Dear all,

I am writing to remind you of our upcoming EXRE Colloquium session scheduled for tomorrow at 17:15 in room MIS02, 2120. Our speaker for this session is Sarah Koeglsperger, who will be presenting on “Blame and Partiality – The Influence of Partial Relationships on the Appropriateness of Blame.” In case you would like to have a better idea of what to expect, please find a brief abstract of her presentation below.

We hope to see you all at the session tomorrow.

Best,
Davood

Abstract:
In the talk, I examine the phenomenon that partial relationships seem to influence the appropriateness of blame, with the aim of answering whether this influence is attributable to partiality itself or if there could be alternative explanations. Three different ways in which partial relationships appear to influence blame are considered: quantity, epistemic standards, and standing to blame. These three categories are illustrated with examples and potential alternative explanations are discussed. The alternative explanations considered refer to voluntary interactions (e.g., promises and commitments and their violation), consequentialist considerations about the efficacy of blame, and the confusion of partial, agent-relative, and subjective reasons. Ultimately, none of these alternative explanations seems to be able to do the necessary explanatory work. The conclusion is drawn that it must be something about partial relationships themselves that accounts for the difference regarding the appropriateness of blame. Especially, the mutual concern for each other’s wellbeing that characterizes friendship appears to have a certain explanatory power.