The Ethics of Relationships: Broadening the Scope

By Monika Betzler and Jörg Löschke

Relationships are of utmost importance to our lives in that they give rise to various kinds of goods. Yet, they also make us vulnerable to distinct kinds of wrongs and harms. So far, philosophers have given some attention to the topics of friendship, parent-child relationships, and love, but many other kinds of relationships have been neglected. Moreover, philosophical theorizing has mostly focused on the value of relationships, while the wrongs and harms involved in leading a particular relationship have hardly been investigated. Similarly, relationships have been analyzed as rather static phenomena, but once we realize that they wax and wane and can even come to an end, further moral challenges come into view.

This edited volume makes a major contribution to establishing an ethics of relationships through its analysis of many different kinds of relationships. The chapters in this collection offer an in-depth understanding of the distinct nature and value of relationships, while also highlighting the dark sides of relationships and their distinct moral intricacies. Contributions cover the relationship to self, sibling relationships, friendships, and romantic partnerships including relationships between former partners. More socially mediated connections are also discussed, such as neighbours, colleagues, students, and teachers, as well as fans and celebrities.

In addition, negative relationships-like those between enemies and those between victims and perpetrators-are explored in detail. The final chapters examine relationships with non-human entities, including companion animals and AI systems. Through its wide-ranging coverage and insightful analysis, The Ethics of Relationships significantly broadens the scope of discussion and elucidates the normative significance of relationships.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198928157
• ISBN13: 9780198928157
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.5" x 9.4"