relative reasons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative reasons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing justifications or explanations that are dependent on context or comparison to other factors. Example: "The committee provided relative reasons for their decision, taking into account the varying circumstances of each applicant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Neutral reasons underlie the former; but relative reasons can affect the latter" (Nagel 1986: 165).

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Special obligations are often appealed to in arguments against consequentialism, because consequentialism is unable to accommodate agent-relative reasons and genuinely special obligations are agent-relative reasons.

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Agent-relative reasons, as well as agent-neutral reasons, can satisfy universality in this sense.

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Such an approach emphasizes the "agent-relative" reasons that each person has to avoid violating the rights of others.

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According to agent-centered theories, we each have both permissions and obligations that give us agent-relative reasons for action.

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It may therefore be a better and more explanatory hypothesis that something like pleasure grounds our agent-relative reasons.

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At the heart of agent-centered theories (with their agent-relative reasons) is the idea of agency.

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If agent-relative reasons cannot be appreciated from a suitably objective perspective then Nagel quite clearly thinks that this will need to be established by argument.

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They could conceive of rights as giving agent-relative reasons to each actor to refrain from doing actions violative of such rights.

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After all, one cannot simply weigh agent-relative reasons against agent-neutral reasons, without stripping the former sorts of reasons of their distinctive character.

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So Parfit's agent-relative moral theories concern agent-relative reasons in his sense and his agent-neutral moral theories concern agent-neutral reasons in his sense.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relative reasons", clarify the context or standard against which the reasons are relative to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "relative reasons" as universally applicable. Always indicate the specific context or comparison group to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative reasons" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'relative' modifies the noun 'reasons'. This indicates that the reasons presented are not absolute but are contingent upon specific contexts or comparative standards, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relative reasons" is a grammatically correct term used to describe justifications that depend on context or comparison. Ludwig AI indicates it is often found in scientific and media sources, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While not very common, it is a useful phrase for expressing context-specific rationales. When using this phrase, ensure that the context or comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "contextual justifications" or "conditional reasons" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contextual reasons

Emphasizes that reasons are dependent on the specific context.

conditional reasons

Highlights that the reasons are valid only under certain conditions.

dependent justifications

Focuses on justifications that rely on other factors.

comparative grounds

Highlights a comparison of different factors as a basis for reasoning.

subjective motives

Suggests that reasons are based on personal opinions or feelings.

circumstantial rationale

Indicates that the rationale is specific to a set of circumstances.

variable explanations

Implies that the explanations change based on different variables.

perspective-based reasons

Reasons differ based on one's point of view.

qualified reasoning

Reasoning that is limited or modified in some way.

situational logic

Logic that applies specifically to a particular situation.

FAQs

What does "relative reasons" mean?

"Relative reasons" refers to justifications or explanations that depend on a specific context, comparison, or individual perspective, rather than being universally applicable.

How can I use "relative reasons" in a sentence?

You can use "relative reasons" to explain why a decision or action is justified within a particular framework. For example: "The committee provided "contextual reasons" for their decision."

What are some alternatives to "relative reasons"?

Alternatives to "relative reasons" include "contextual justifications", "conditional reasons", or "comparative explanations" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do "relative reasons" differ from objective reasons?

"Relative reasons" are dependent on context or perspective, whereas objective reasons are supposed to be universally valid regardless of individual viewpoints or circumstances.