Christine Korsgaard is an influential contemporary moral philosopher and professor at Harvard University. She is recognized for her contributions to metaethics, practical reason, and moral psychology. Korsgaard is known for her defense of a constructivist account of moral normativity, which argues that moral principles are derived from our rational nature as agents.
In Korsgaard's constructivist framework, she proposes that moral obligations stem from our capacity to reason and act as autonomous beings. She argues that the concept of a "good will" is central to our moral obligations and that acting in accord with reason is crucial for moral agency. Korsgaard posits that an individual's moral worth depends on their ability to act in accordance with moral principles, which are derived from their own self-legislation of norms.
Furthermore, Korsgaard explores the nature of practical reason, addressing questions about why individuals should act in certain ways and how moral principles are derived from reason. She argues that moral norms have a normative authority over individuals due to the value of our own selfhood and autonomy.
Korsgaard's work also extends into moral psychology, where she investigates the role of personal identity and the influence of emotions in moral decision-making. She delves into how our understanding of ourselves as rational agents affects our moral actions and choices.
Overall, Christine Korsgaard's contributions to moral philosophy lie in her constructivist approach, which examines the role of reason, autonomy, and moral agency in establishing ethical obligations and principles.
