Final answer:
W.D. Ross supports the objective truth of prima facie duties through appeals to moral intuitions, presenting them as self-evident obligations. In situations of conflict between duties, he utilizes judgment and a quasi-consequentialist approach to discern the most pressing duty. The correct choice is O he appeals to our moral intuitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
How does W.D. Ross support the objective truth of the prima facie moral duties he lists? Ross appeals to our moral intuitions. He rejects the oversimplification of morality presented by earlier theories such as utilitarianism and Kantian deontology.
Instead, Ross introduces prima facie duties which he believes are self-evident truths recognized through experience and maturity. These duties are seen as obligations that are binding unless they conflict with a greater moral duty.
Ross posits that in situations where multiple prima facie duties are in conflict, our judgment must discern which duty holds the most weight given the specific circumstances, often using a quasi-consequentialist approach. This approach recognizes a plurality of intrinsic goods and aspires to achieve 'the greatest balance of prima facie rightness' when determining our actual duty.
Ross identifies key prima facie duties including fidelity, reparation, gratitude, the promotion of good, and non-maleficence. He understands moral obligations to be generally relational and contextual, allowing for judgment in the resolution of moral dilemmas when duties conflict.