Title: Theories of moral standing

Authors: Nancy S. Hancock

Addresses: Northern Kentucky University, USA

Abstract: A being has moral standing when its interests must be given consideration in the deliberations of a moral agent. Three single-criterion theories of moral standing are surveyed and found to be inadequate for distinguishing between things that have moral standing and those that do not, as well as for establishing a method for weighing the comparable interests of beings with moral standing. One possible multi-criteria theory of moral standing is considered, and the implications for environmental policy decision-making is explored.

Keywords: moral standing; environmental policy; environmental decision making; policy making.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2002.053890

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2002 Vol.4 No.2, pp.1 - 12

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

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