Otteson, James

James Otteson (b. 1968) is an American philosopher and political economist who has made significant contributions to moral philosophy and the intersection of ethics with religious thought. While primarily known for his work in political economy and Adam Smith scholarship, Otteson's "Actual Ethics" (2006) addresses fundamental questions about moral obligation, human dignity, and the foundations of ethical behavior that engage with theistic and naturalistic accounts of morality. His approach examines whether objective moral standards can exist without divine grounding, contributing to debates about the relationship between God and morality. Otteson argues for a naturalistic foundation of ethics based on human nature and social cooperation, while acknowledging the historical importance of religious frameworks in moral development. His work represents an important voice in contemporary discussions about whether meaningful ethics requires theistic foundations or can be adequately grounded in secular, empirical observations about human flourishing.