Reasons to Try

Abstract The distinction between “reasons to try” and “reasons to succeed” is intriguing and fertile one. Building on John Gardner’s work, Chapter 4 explains the notions of “reasons to try” and “reasons to succeed” and deploys them to illuminate and reflect on different normative contexts as well as explores Gardner’s own use of the distinction. The normative contexts explored using this distinction include the obligations of the law of accidents, obligations in law more generally, as well as how reasons to try and reasons to succeed feature in values and legal obligations such as fidelity, loyalty, friendship, parenthood, integrity, and others.