b. 1946
Stephen Darwall (born 1946) is an American moral philosopher at Yale University, widely recognized for his foundational work in metaethics and normative theory. He is best known for developing the 'second-person standpoint'—the view that moral obligations are grounded in relations of mutual accountability between persons. His work bridges Kantian ethics, the theory of reasons, and the philosophy of respect.
Developed the second-person standpoint as the structural basis of moral obligation and accountability
Introduced the influential distinction between recognition respect and appraisal respect
Authored 'The Second-Person Standpoint: Morality, Respect, and Accountability' (2006), a landmark in metaethics
Advanced internalist accounts of moral motivation and practical reason
Contributed to the philosophy of welfare and well-being in 'Welfare and Rational Care' (2002)