Read on Twitter
While we wait for a concession we won't get, some philosophical reflections on concessions and other normative powers.
Conceding comes in two flavors. It's a normative power, the exercise of which waives rights. It's also a mental state.
1/6
Conceding comes in two flavors. It's a normative power, the exercise of which waives rights. It's also a mental state.
1/6
Often these travel together. But they can come apart. You can waive rights, without giving up the fight. Or you can give up the fight, without waiving rights.
2/6
2/6
Here, no formal concession is necessary. The President doesn't have to waive his powers. They will expire at the end of his term.
3/6
3/6
That said, it would be good -- for democracy, for the country -- if he would give up the fight (at least as soon as the results are certified, if not before).
That would help ensure that the transition to a new President happens smoothly.
4/6
That would help ensure that the transition to a new President happens smoothly.
4/6
FWIW, most normative powers work this way -- there's a formal version and an associated mental state.
For instance, forgiveness can be an attitude, or a waiver of the standing to blame. Most of the time, they travel together. But they can come apart.
5/6
For instance, forgiveness can be an attitude, or a waiver of the standing to blame. Most of the time, they travel together. But they can come apart.
5/6
That's one of the central claims in @nico_cornell's paper, The Possibility of Preemptive Forgiveness. And really, all the thoughts here are his, just extended to concession.
It works for other normative powers too. Maybe we'll write you a paper someday.
6/6
It works for other normative powers too. Maybe we'll write you a paper someday.
6/6
