Question

All people have a duty to exercise _________ care not to harm others and their property

Answer 1

All people have a duty to exercise reasonable care not to harm others and their property. This duty is known as a duty of non-maleficence and requires individuals to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to others.

Step-by-step explanation:

All people have a duty to exercise reasonable care not to harm others and their property. This duty is a moral commitment known as a duty of non-maleficence, as identified by philosopher Ross. It means that individuals have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to others and to avoid actions that could cause harm. For example, this duty might require individuals to drive safely and follow traffic laws to protect the safety of others on the road.

Answer 2

The duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid harming others and their property is a key moral obligation addressed by various philosophers, including W.D. Ross's duty of non-maleficence, Mozi's inclusive care, and John Stuart Mill's harm principle.

Step-by-step explanation:

All people have a duty to exercise reasonable care not to harm others and their property. This principle is rooted in various ethical systems and philosophies. Notably, philosopher W.D. Ross discussed virtues such as the duty of non-maleficence, which emphasizes the moral commitment to abstain from causing harm to others. Ross highlighted this duty as more pressing than our duty to promote the maximum aggregate good.

Philosophers also argue for an anthropocentric approach, suggesting that human interests in a sustainable environment lead to moral obligations that minimize harm to nature. Likewise, Mozi defends the principle of inclusive care, asserting that if individuals extended the same care to others as they do to themselves, it would result in worldwide benefit. In a similar vein, John Stuart Mill's harm principle posits that the freedom of individuals should not be curtailed unless their actions cause harm to others.

These perspectives converge on the idea that there is a universal moral imperative to avoid causing harm, both for the good of society and the environment. They are reflected in the principle that we must exercise reasonable care—a standard that holds us accountable for the consequences of our actions on others.