Selves and moral units

Abstract

Parfit’s concept of the self is problematic in important respects and it remains unclear just why and how this entity should count as a moral unit in the first place. In developing a view I call “Moderate Reductionism,” I attempt to resolve these worries, first by offering a clearer, more consistent account of what the concept of “self” should involve, and second by arguing for why selves should indeed be viewed as moral (and prudential) units. I then defend this view in detail from both “conservative” and “extreme” objections.