Objective List Theories and Ill-Being

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2019

Abstract

What, if anything, directly detracts from well-being? Objective list theorists affirm basic goods such as knowledge, friendship, and achievement, but it is less clear what they should say about opposing bads. In this paper, I argue that false beliefs, unhealthy relationships, and failed projects are not basic bads and do not directly detract from well-being. They can have bad effects or elements, or block the realization of basic goods, but do not themselves carry negative weight with respect to well-being. This is shown by comparing cases where these bads are present and absent, examining their relation to negative overall well-being, and considering the role of these bads in the pursuit of positive goods.

Publication Title

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice

Volume

22

Issue

5

First Page

1073

Last Page

1085

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s10677-019-10035-5

ISSN

13862820

E-ISSN

15728447

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