Abstract
This dissertation argues that the nature of love gives us reasons to accept a two-level ethical theory. A two-level ethical theory recommends a view of the world that conflicts with the view of the theory itself. Two-level theories face influential objections; the dissertation argues that changes in point of view over a life contain the basis of a reply to these objections. The dissertation focuses in particular on changes in love and supports a defense of a two-level approach to ethics by developing and defending an original view of love. Later chapters offer arguments about (1) the impact changes in love have on our well-being, and (2) recent disputes over whether specific theoretical approaches to ethics, such as virtue ethics and consequentialism, are two-level in objectionable ways.