The puzzle of partiality

Robbie Arrell (Monash University)

We are far from impartial in our everyday lives.  We frequently do things for friends, family members, lovers, etc. that we would not do for equally deserving strangers, and we take ourselves to have good reasons for such partial behaviour.  Yet, it is puzzling why this should be: why do certain relationships – e.g. my friendship to Tommy – generate special responsibilities for me, whilst other equally valuable relationships – e.g. your friendship to Agatha say – do not?

On one account, the explanation turns on the fact that we value our own relationships intrinsically, but those of others merely extrinsically.  It is then said the special responsibilities we have are simply part and parcel of what it is to value these relationships intrinsically. 

Is this the best we can do however?  Have we reached the limits of explanation such that all we can say is: (1) we just do value our own relationships intrinsically; and (2) to value these relationships so just is to have special responsibilities towards those with whom we share them? 

In this paper I suggest not.  Rather than saying we just do value our relationships intrinsically, I endeavour to explain why we value them so by elaborating an account of the “rich” good of modally robust special concern they typically exhibit. In turn, this motivates a new solution to the puzzle of partiality beyond simply saying our own relationships just do generate special responsibilities for us.  This “rich” good my friend Tommy enjoys is the good of knowing he would still enjoy the good of my partiality across other possible worlds even were he/I/circumstances somewhat altered.  And, since only I can provide Tommy with the good of my modally robust special concern, that is why our friendship generates special responsibilities particular to me.  By the same token, your friendship with Agatha does not generate special responsibilities for me, because not I, nor anyone else, via providing you with the good of partiality, can realise for you the rich good of Agatha’s robust special concern – only she can. 

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