Question

List Ross's six Prima facie duties:

a) Fidelity, gratitude, justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence
b) Veracity, confidentiality, empathy, equity, respect, integrity
c) Honesty, diligence, kindness, loyalty, patience, prudence
d) Non-interference, self-improvement, neutrality, accountability, transparency, responsibility

Answer 1

Ross identified five prima facie duties: fidelity, reparation, gratitude, promoting good, and non-maleficence. These are not absolute and require judgment to prioritize in conflicting situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sir William David Ross outlined six prima facie duties which are essential to his moral theory. These duties are as follows:

1. Fidelity: the duty to keep promises and be truthful.
2. Reparation: the duty to make up for wrongs done to others.
3. Gratitude: the duty to express gratitude for benefits received and to reciprocate when possible.
4. Promote a maximum of aggregate good: the duty to increase the overall good in the world.
5. Non-maleficence: the duty to not harm others.

Ross's concept of prima facie duties is significant in moral philosophy because it suggests these duties are self-evident and recognized through experience and maturation. They are not absolute or equally significant in every situation, which means that judgment is necessary when multiple duties conflict. In such cases, one must weigh the duties to determine which has the greatest balance of prima facie rightness.