Question

one serious charge against the adequacy of _______ is that it is not consistent with moral common sense—it seems implausible to argue that we have obligations that must be honored without exception.

Answer 1

Sir William David Ross critiqued the simplifications of classic utilitarianism and deontology, proposing a pluralist moral theory with prima facie duties that better align with our moral common sense, suggesting that we balance conflicting moral duties to determine the best course of action.

Step-by-step explanation:

Moral Theories and Common Sense

One serious charge against certain moral theories, specifically classic utilitarianism and deontology, is that they do not align with moral common sense by suggesting that obligations must be honored without exception. Contrary to these theories, Sir William David Ross proposed a pluralist approach highlighting that morality is complex and cannot be reduced to a single principle. He introduced the concept of prima facie duties, which accounts for our many moral commitments that are not absolute and often need to be balanced against each other in situations of moral dilemma.

Resolving Moral Conflicts

Ross emphasizes that our prima facie duties are sometimes in conflict, necessitating a quasi-consequentialist approach to resolve these scenarios. He proposes that our actions should lead to "the greatest balance of prima facie rightness over prima facie wrongness." This method allows for a more nuanced and practical moral evaluation, which includes a duty of fidelity, reparation, gratitude, non-maleficence, and promoting aggregate good.