W.D. Ross

Definition

W.D. Ross was a prominent 20th century British philosopher known for his work in moral philosophy, particularly his theory of prima facie duties which was a key contribution to the development of deontological ethics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. W.D. Ross argued that there are multiple, irreducible prima facie duties such as duties of justice, duties of reparation, duties of gratitude, and duties of self-improvement.
2. Ross believed that these prima facie duties can sometimes come into conflict, requiring us to determine which duty takes precedence in a given situation.
3. Ross's theory of prima facie duties was a critique of the moral theories of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, which he saw as overly simplistic in their reliance on a single moral principle.
4. Ross's moral pluralism and focus on prima facie duties was an important influence on the development of contemporary virtue ethics and care ethics.
5. In addition to his work on prima facie duties, Ross also made significant contributions to meta-ethics and the philosophy of mathematics.

Review Questions

• Explain W.D. Ross's concept of prima facie duties and how it relates to deontological ethics.
  • According to W.D. Ross, prima facie duties are moral obligations that hold unless they conflict with other, stronger moral obligations. This is in contrast to deontological theories like Kant's that rely on a single, overarching moral principle. Ross argued that there are multiple, irreducible prima facie duties such as duties of justice, reparation, gratitude, and self-improvement. When these prima facie duties come into conflict, we must determine which one takes precedence in a given situation. This moral pluralism was a key contribution to the development of deontological ethics.
• Describe how W.D. Ross's theory of prima facie duties was a critique of the moral theories of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill.
  • W.D. Ross was critical of the moral theories of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, which he saw as overly simplistic in their reliance on a single moral principle. Kant's Categorical Imperative and Mill's Utilitarianism both proposed a single, overarching moral rule. In contrast, Ross argued for moral pluralism, believing that there are multiple, irreducible prima facie duties that can come into conflict. He saw this as a more accurate reflection of the complexity of real-world moral dilemmas, where we often face difficult tradeoffs between competing moral obligations. Ross's theory of prima facie duties was an important critique of the reductive tendencies of Kantian and utilitarian ethics.
• Analyze how W.D. Ross's work on prima facie duties and moral pluralism influenced the development of contemporary virtue ethics and care ethics.
  • W.D. Ross's theory of prima facie duties and moral pluralism had a significant influence on the development of contemporary virtue ethics and care ethics. By rejecting the idea of a single, overarching moral principle, Ross paved the way for ethical frameworks that emphasize the contextual nature of moral decision-making and the importance of cultivating virtuous character traits. His focus on the multiplicity of moral obligations, which can come into tension, aligns with virtue ethics' attention to the complexities of real-world moral dilemmas. Additionally, Ross's recognition of duties like those of care and gratitude anticipated the care ethics movement's emphasis on the moral significance of interpersonal relationships and responsibilities. Overall, Ross's work represented an important shift away from the reductive tendencies of Kantian and utilitarian ethics, influencing the rise of more nuanced, holistic approaches in contemporary moral philosophy.

Related terms

Deontology:

Deontology is an ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules, rather than the consequences of the action.

Prima Facie Duties:

Prima facie duties are moral obligations that hold unless they conflict with other, stronger moral obligations, according to W.D. Ross's theory.

Moral Pluralism:

Moral pluralism is the view that there are multiple, irreducible moral principles or values that can come into conflict, as opposed to a single overarching moral principle.