Final answer:
The deontological Theory of Prima Facie Duties was proposed by Sir William David Ross, who introduced a nuanced moral framework that includes multiple prima facie duties and a quasi-consequentialist approach to resolve conflicts between them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The deontological Theory of Prima Facie Duties was proposed by Sir William David Ross. Ross critiqued earlier moral theories, such as classic utilitarianism and Kantian deontology, for oversimplifying morality when they reduced moral decisions to single principles, such as the greatest happiness principle and the categorical imperative. Instead, Ross proposed that we have multiple prima facie duties, which are basic moral obligations we recognize through experience and maturity. These duties are not absolute; they are conditional and can conflict with each other in complex moral situations.
Ross identified several prima facie duties, including the duty of fidelity, the duty of reparation, the duty of gratitude, the duty to promote the good, and the duty of non-maleficence. When these prima facie duties clash, Ross argued for a quasi-consequentialist approach to discern which action results in the greatest balance of prima facie rightness over wrongness. Judgment is central in this process, as individuals must weigh the relevant duties based on the specific facts of a situation to determine their actual duty.
In essence, deontology focuses on the intrinsic rightness or wrongness of actions based on duties, and the Rossian framework reinforces the importance of moral judgment when facing conflicting obligations. As a further evolution in deontological thinking, Ross adds a nuanced view that considers the consequences of actions in light of our duties, thereby addressing the complexities of moral life that single-principle theories may fail to capture.