Christine Korsgaard

Error creating thumbnail:

Christine Marion Korsgaard is an influential American philosopher and the Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University. She is best known for her contributions to deontological ethics, moral philosophy, and Kantian ethics. Korsgaard's work primarily focuses on questions of moral agency, the sources of normativity, and the foundations of moral obligations. Her approach to ethics, often described as neo-Kantian, seeks to ground moral principles in the autonomy and rationality of agents.

Biography

Christine M. Korsgaard earned her B.A. from the University of Illinois, and her Ph.D. from Harvard University, where she studied under the guidance of John Rawls, another prominent figure in contemporary moral philosophy. After completing her doctoral studies, Korsgaard joined the faculty at Harvard, where she has spent the majority of her academic career. Over the years, she has also held visiting professorships at various prestigious institutions.

Philosophical Work

Korsgaard's philosophical work is deeply rooted in the tradition of Kant, though she has developed her own interpretations and arguments. One of her most significant contributions is her defense of the claim that moral obligations arise from the nature and identity of the agent, a view she elaborates in her book "The Sources of Normativity" (1996). In this work, Korsgaard argues that moral obligations are self-imposed by rational agents who recognize the necessity of acting under laws they give to themselves.

Another key aspect of Korsgaard's philosophy is her emphasis on the concept of self-constitution, the idea that individuals establish their identities and values through their actions. According to Korsgaard, this process of self-constitution provides a basis for understanding moral obligations as intrinsic to the identity of rational agents.

Korsgaard has also engaged with the works of other philosophers, including Aristotle, David Hume, and Thomas Hobbes, examining how their ideas can inform and enrich Kantian ethics. Her work is characterized by a rigorous analytical style, combined with a deep concern for practical ethical issues.

Selected Publications

Korsgaard has authored several influential books and articles, including:

• "Creating the Kingdom of Ends" (1996), a collection of essays on Kantian ethics.
• "The Sources of Normativity" (1996), where she explores the foundation of moral obligations.
• "Self-Constitution: Agency, Identity, and Integrity" (2009), focusing on the role of self-constitution in moral philosophy.

Impact and Legacy

Christine Korsgaard is regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary moral philosophy. Her work has had a profound impact on the field, particularly in the areas of Kantian ethics and the theory of moral obligations. Korsgaard's philosophical investigations have sparked significant debate and discussion, contributing to a deeper understanding of the nature of moral agency, the sources of normativity, and the ethical implications of self-constitution.

See Also

• Kantian ethics
• Moral philosophy
• Deontological ethics
• John Rawls