IntuitionismW. D. Ross

Intuitionism

Pluralism: Goods differ in kind

Conflict: Goods of different kinds can conflict with each other

Complexity: There are no universal rules for resolving these conflicts

Exceptions

This implies that moral principles always have exceptions

It’s wrong to lie—but….

It’s wrong to steal— but….

It’s wrong to commit murder—but….

Is there anything it’s always wrong to do?

Defeasibility

This means that moral reasoning is defeasible.

Good inferences can become bad in the presence of additional information. Smith murdered Jones. Murder is wrong. So, Smith did something wrong.

That’s a reasonable inference.

But further information can undercut it. E.g.?

Sobel Sequences

Buddhist story: A farmer receives a horse. “That’s good!” says his neighbor. “We’ll see,” says the farmer.

His son falls off the horse and breaks his leg. “That’s bad!” says the neighbor. “We’ll see,” says the farmer.

His son receives notice to report for military duty. But the broken leg gets him out of it. “That’s good!” says the neighbor. “We’ll see,” says the farmer.

Simpson Sequences

Owner: Take this object, but beware it carries a terrible curse!Homer: [worried] Ooooh, that's bad.Owner: But it comes with a free Frogurt!Homer: [relieved] That's good.Owner: The Frogurt is also cursed.Homer: [worried] That's bad.Owner: But you get your choice of topping!Homer: [relieved] That's good.Owner: The toppings contains Potassium Benzoate.Homer: [stares]Owner: That's bad.

Prima Facie Obligation

Prima Facie Obligation: what you ought to do, given some features of the particular case

Actual Obligation: what you ought to do, all things considered

Smith has a prima facie obligation not to kill Jones

Is it also an actual obligation? That depends on all the facts of the case.

Moral Risk

Actual obligations depend on all the facts of the case

But you can never know all the facts of the case

Right: so every act involves some moral risk

Maybe there’s additional information you could obtain that would undercut or override the conclusion you’ve reached so far

Sources of Prima Facie Obligation

Previous acts of mine Promise: I’m obliged to keep it Wrongful act: I’m obliged to make amends

Previous acts of others (gratitude)

Justice (distributing goods according to merit)

Beneficence (duties to help others)

Self-improvement (virtue)

Not injuring others