Final answer:
The statement regarding the four elements of negligence (duty, breach, proximate cause, and damages) is true. These elements are central to a negligence claim in the legal system, whereas Ross's prima facie duties describe broader moral commitments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that there are four elements to the tort of negligence: duty, breach, proximate cause, and damages is true. These elements must be established for a successful negligence claim. Duty refers to the legal obligation one has to exercise a reasonable standard of care to avoid causing harm to others. Breach is the violation of that duty. Proximate cause involves demonstrating that the breach of duty was closely related enough to the damages that it should be considered the legal cause of those damages. Lastly, damages refer to the actual losses suffered by the plaintiff.
The philosophical duties mentioned by Ross, such as fidelity and non-maleficence, though related to the concept of duty in negligence, represent broader moral commitments and do not directly equate to the legal framework for a negligence tort.