W. D. Ross's Moral Theory

Ross's criticisms of consequentialist moral theories:

Why does Ross think that producing maximum intrinsic goodness is not always what makes actions right?

What should we look for in a moral theory, according to Ross?

Elements of Ross's Moral Theory:

Ross's (incomplete) list of prima facie duties:

Possible objections to Ross's theory (considered by Ross):

   1. Ross's list of prima facie duties is unsystematic and follows no logical        principle.

    2. Ross's moral theory provides no principle for determining what our actual         moral obligations are in particular situations.

    3. Ross's moral theory assumes, without adequate justification, that the list of         prima facie duties we recognize, is accurate and is not in need of critical         examination: