Single Idea 5909

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty]

Full Idea

The prima facie duties are of fidelity, gratitude, justice, beneficence (the act, rather than the motive), self-improvement, and non-maleficence.

Clarification

'Beneficence' helps others, and 'maleficence' harms them

Gist of Idea

Be faithful, grateful, just, beneficent, non-malevolent, and improve yourself

Source

report of W. David Ross (The Right and the Good [1930], §II) by PG - Db (ideas)

Book Reference

Ross,W.David: 'The Right and the Good' [OUP 1930], p.21


A Reaction

I admire anyone who has the courage to make a statement like this. A thousand analytical philosophers sharpen their knives for the attack, all armed with Cartesian or empirical scepticism. But to deny these duties is to drop out of society.