Journal Article

FZJ-2025-00079

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Expectable Outcome Deontology – A New Theory of Life’s Meaning

Rüther, M.FZJ*

2024
Springer

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s10790-024-10006-9

Abstract: The question of what constitutes a meaningful life has recently regained attentionafter being largely neglected in the 20th century. A new debate in ethics, knownas the debate on meaning in life, has emerged around this question. In this article,I propose a new normative theory of meaningfulness, which I label as ExpectableOutcome Deontology (EOD), to contribute to this debate. EOD is an axiologicaltheory that evaluates lives based on the idea that a person’s life is meaningful to theextent that they perform intrinsically meaningful actions. An intrinsically meaning-ful action, moreover, is an action that possess meaningfulness – as it is sometimesput – “in itself”, “for its own sake” or “in its own right”.1 While the theory is deon-tological at its core, I contend that intrinsically meaningful actions are those thatmost likely bring about specific outcomes, typically those that promote the good, thetrue, and the beautiful. Thus, although the theory is not driven or motivated by con-sequentialist considerations, it very much accomodates such demands too. I arguethat EOD is, with suitable clarifications, the correct theory of meaningfulness.To support the argument for EOD, I proceed in four steps. First, I clarify the cen-tral terms and premises I adopt in EOD. Second, I explain how the theory fits intothe ongoing debate on meaningfulness and what makes it promising compared toother theories. Thirdly, I present the key components of the theory that address thechallenges encountered by some traditional theories. Finally, I respond to severalnovel objections, thereby bolstering the rationale of EOD.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Gehirn & Verhalten (INM-7)

Research Program(s):

1. 5255 - Neuroethics and Ethics of Information (POF4-525) (POF4-525)

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Database coverage:
Arts and Humanities Citation Index ; Arts and Humanities Citation Index ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Arts and Humanities ; Current Contents - Arts and Humanities ; Current Contents - Social and Behavioral Sciences ; Current Contents - Social and Behavioral Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; DEAL Springer ; DEAL Springer ; DEAL Springer ; Essential Science Indicators ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; SCOPUS ; Social Sciences Citation Index ; Social Sciences Citation Index

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