The ethics of partiality

Partiality is the special concern that we display for ourselves and other people with whom stand in some personal relationship. It a central theme moral philosophy, both ancient modern. Questions about justification of partiality arise context enquiry into several topics, including good life role it our commitments; demands impartial morality, equality, ideals; commonsense ideas supererogation. This paper provides an overview debate on ethics through lens domains permissible required partiality. After outlining conceptual space, I first discuss agent-centred options permissions not to do what would be impartially optimal. then focus partiality, which concerns associative duties go beyond general others require us give priority who are close us. notable features two main objections have been raised against them: Voluntarist Distributive objections. turn focusing underivative approaches reasons-based frameworks. reductionism non-reductionism debate: question whether derivative or fundamental. survey arguments ‘the big three’, according justified by appeal value either projects, relationships, individuals. conclude discussing four newly emerging areas normative transitions various relationships AI, epistemic negative analogue positive relationships.