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Exam 9: The Ethic of Prima Facie Duties

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Question 1

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According to Ross, what should we do when our prima facie duties conflict? Do you think that this is a serious problem for his view? Why or why not?

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According to Ross, when our prima facie ...

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Question 2

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Explain the concept of a prima facie duty and describe how it differs from a duty proper. Why does Ross think that the duties he mentions are only prima facie duties? Do you find his arguments convincing? Is an ethical theory based on prima facie duties preferable to other sorts of ethical theory? Why or why not?

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Prima facie duties are moral obligations...

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Question 3

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How does Ross think we can come to know our prima facie duties? What do you think is the strongest objection one might have to Ross's account of how we come to have moral knowledge? Can Ross's view overcome this objection? Why or why not?

Ross thinks the correct moral theory is

According to Ross, a prima facie duty is a

Ross thinks that we sometimes feel regret even when we have done the right thing because sometimes

Write an essay describing the central features of Ross's ethic of prima facie duties. Define the notion of a prima facie duty and explain how a moral theory based on prima facie duties differs from monistic and absolutist moral theories.

Ross objects to utilitarianism because it does not consider obligations created by

According to Ross, the data from which we should construct ethical theories are

Case Study Kim is a celebrated author at the end of her life. On her deathbed she is visited by her protégé, Marco. Kim says that she feels a sense of fulfilment and completion looking back her on life, apart from one regret. She never published her favorite collection of essays, one that she has kept hidden for years. She tells Marco where to find the collection and asks him to promise that he will submit the essays (just as they are) to her publisher after she dies. He promises her that he will. After Kim's death, Marco retrieves the collection of essays to fulfill his promise to Kim. When he reads them, he discovers that they are full of scandalous and shameful personal details about the lives of other famous authors, many of whom are still alive. Marco knows that if the collection is published, the people discussed in the essays will be publicly shamed and their reputations forever tarnished. He feels unsure about whether to send the essays to Kim's publisher after all. -What is the morally right thing for Marco to do in this case? Is there just one morally permissible course of action?

According to Ross, how can we come to know the fundamental moral rules? Do you think that this is a legitimate way to come to know moral truths? If so, explain why. If not, explain what you think is a more viable alternative.

Talk about: -Absolutist theories

According to Ross, how do the general principles of duty become self-evident?

Case Study Kim is a celebrated author at the end of her life. On her deathbed she is visited by her protégé, Marco. Kim says that she feels a sense of fulfilment and completion looking back her on life, apart from one regret. She never published her favorite collection of essays, one that she has kept hidden for years. She tells Marco where to find the collection and asks him to promise that he will submit the essays (just as they are) to her publisher after she dies. He promises her that he will. After Kim's death, Marco retrieves the collection of essays to fulfill his promise to Kim. When he reads them, he discovers that they are full of scandalous and shameful personal details about the lives of other famous authors, many of whom are still alive. Marco knows that if the collection is published, the people discussed in the essays will be publicly shamed and their reputations forever tarnished. He feels unsure about whether to send the essays to Kim's publisher after all. -What duties are in conflict in Marco's ethical dilemma? Is there any way for him to simultaneously honor the conflicting duties?

Talk about: -Monistic theories

What objection does Ross raise to Kant's theory?

What do you think is the biggest advantage of the ethic of prima facie duties? Explain why it has this advantage and why some competing ethical theories do not. Is this a sufficient reason to accept Ross's theory or not? Defend your answer.

Write an essay discussing Ross's list of seven prima facie duties. Do you think his list is accurate and complete? Why or why not? If you were to create your own list of prima facie duties, what would be on it?

Talk about: -Prima facie duty

According to Ross, how can we know what to do when two prima facie duties conflict?