 The weight and scope of these kinds of concerns about alienation can obviously vary; that is, they might be thought to have more or less critical purchase on a wider or narrower range of targets. There are various possibilities here. These concerns might, for example, be said to apply: first, only to certain kinds of personality types inclined to adopt particular moral theories, and not to the theories themselves (Piper 1987); second, only to certain ways of formulating particular moral theories (the objections here being overcome by a more adequate formulation of the particular theories in question); third, only to particular moral theories (such as act utilitarianism, certain forms of consequentialism, or all impartial moral theories) to which they constitute foundational objections (but not to morality as such); and, fourth, as a foundational objection that counts against ‘the peculiar institution’ of morality itself (Williams 1985: 174). Given both that variety and the subject matter of this entry, it may not be helpful to generalise much more here. However, the point is hopefully made that the ethical dimensions of the present topic extend beyond the normative assessment of the relevant separations. Indeed, taking alienation seriously might lead us to think more critically about some familiar moral standpoints and theories.