Why your moral intuition might be more reliable than complex ethical calculations
In short: Scottish philosopher W. D. Ross argued that ethics is not about maximizing outcomes, but navigating competing duties. He proposed that we possess a self-evident grasp of moral truths, similar to mathematical axioms. While his work was once overlooked, it offers a compelling alternative to rigid consequentialism and Kantian moral frameworks.
W. D. Ross, a prominent 20th-century philosopher and Oxford administrator, challenged the prevailing view that ethics should focus solely on the consequences of our actions. In his seminal 1930 work, The Right and the Good, he argued that moral life is defined by a plurality of obligations rather than a single rule. He identified several fundamental duties, such as keeping promises, making amends for past wrongs, showing appreciation, acting fairly, helping others, avoiding harm, and personal growth. These duties are not exhaustive, yet they form the core of our moral landscape.
Ross introduced the concept of prima facie duties to explain how we navigate ethical conflicts. When these duties clash—such as the obligation to keep a promise versus the need to help someone in distress—Ross maintained that one duty will always carry more weight, becoming our absolute obligation in that specific instance. While critics argue that his terminology is confusing and that he should have used the term pro tanto to describe these weighted reasons, his central point remains: moral decision-making is a process of discerning which duty takes precedence in a given context.
Central to his philosophy is the idea of intuitionism. Ross believed that moral truths are self-evident, much like the principles of geometry. As we mature, we develop the capacity to recognize these truths directly, without needing complex logical deductions. He argued that virtue, knowledge, justice, and pleasure are intrinsically good, with virtue holding the highest value. Although his approach has been criticized for being unsystematic and relying on fallible human intuition, it has seen a significant revival in contemporary philosophy, influencing thinkers who seek a more nuanced understanding of moral responsibility.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: W. D. Ross
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