Final answer:
The question of constructing an ethical calculus is a complex philosophical issue dealing with the search for universal moral principles. It involves discussions around the use of reason, the social nature of ethical constructs, and how to address conflicting duties and moral obligations. Philosophers like Plato, Kant, and Ross have contributed varying perspectives to this enduring debate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Constructing an ethical calculus requires a determination of moral principles that can be universally applied, akin to a mathematical equation such as 2 + 2 = 4. The debate over whether establishing a universally valid ethical system is possible or futile centers on philosophical questions about the nature of ethics, decision-making in contexts like war, and the role of reason in moral rule-making.
Plato believed he had found universal principles of ethics, while Kant sought to base ethics on reason alone, free from divine authority or utilitarian calculations. Kant identified both perfect and imperfect duties, where perfect duties must be followed all the time. Sir William David Ross proposed that similarly to cognitive biases influencing our moral decisions, like sunk costs in war decisions, a more nuanced approach must consider prima facie duties and competing moral obligations.
The notion that ethical and moral frameworks are social constructs plays into this discourse as well, complicating the task of constructing a rigid ethical calculus. Despite this, the ongoing philosophical inquiry suggests that as long as humans have reasoning capabilities, they will engage in the examination and refinement of ethical principles.