Theory of self constitution

The theory of self-constitution is a philosophical account of agency, identity, and morality, most prominently developed by the philosopher Christine Korsgaard in her book by the same name. The theory is a modern and sophisticated reinterpretation of Kantian ethics, drawing on influences from Plato and Aristotle.

I hereby shall try to make an effort to discuss the central tenets of Korsgaard's theory of self-constitution.

It begins with the proposition that action is Self-Constitution.  The core idea is that the function of an action is to constitute the agent. To be a human agent is not to be a pre-existing "self" that then performs actions. Rather, an agent is the author of their own actions, and in the very act of choosing and acting, they are simultaneously creating and unifying their self. Every action is a step in the ongoing project of "making yourself into a person." It reminded us of the sense of duty for duties sake emphatically proposed by kant. It follows then that we may need to define a normal and this gives rise tot he discussion- Problem of the Normative.

 Korsgaard's theory is a response to what she calls the "normative question"—the question of why we should feel bound by moral obligations and why should it be a norm.  She argues that the source of normativity is not some external law or command, but the very nature of agency ( or maybe called the self) itself, in a way , emphasizing the deontological perspective.

The reasonable next question then is that such agency shall be based on what rationality and principles? To answered this, Korsgaard distinguishes human action from the mere movements of other animals is our capacity for reflective self-consciousness. We are aware of the potential reasons for our actions, and this awareness forces us to take control of our choices. To act, we must adopt a principle or "maxim" for our action.

The constitution of the agent should be discussed at this stage. The act of choosing a maxim and acting on it is what constitutes us as agents. When we act on a principle, we are essentially legislating for ourselves. We are not just a bundle of conflicting desires and impulses; we are a unified agent who stands behind their actions. An action that is not based on a principle, or on a principle that we cannot endorse, is not a truly unified action and fails to constitute us as a coherent self.

 Korsgaard takes from kant the categorical imperative as a Law of Self-Constitution. For her, the famous Kantian Categorical Imperative ("Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law") is not an arbitrary moral rule but the very law. It's the standard for what counts as a successful act of agency. To act on a maxim that you couldn't will as a universal law would be to act on a principle that undermines the possibility of unified action, thereby failing to constitute yourself as a coherent agent.

Integrity and Moral Goodness: The theory ties moral goodness directly to the success of this project of self-constitution. A "good" action is one that successfully constitutes the agent with integrity. Conversely, a "bad" or "immoral" action is one that undermines the agent's integrity, leading to a kind of psychic fragmentation or self-contradiction. For Korsgaard, an immoral act is a failed act of agency, a failure to be a unified self.