Introduction
There are a few different reasons why philosophers might think that there is a formula for determining moral duty. One reason is based on social contract theory, which holds that humans have a duty to obey the law because they have agreed. Another reason is based on the role of consent in ethical theories. These ethical theories hold that people ought to do what someone else wants them to do as long as they are not harmed by it and they give their consent. Finally, some philosophers defend ethical pluralism, the opinion that there is not just one morality, but rather there are many equally valid moralities. Regarding Ross’s view, there are basic moral obligations, such as telling the truth, which people have to fulfill regardless of the consequences. Ross believes that these obligations arise from our nature as human beings and our relationship with other people. According to Ross’s theory, ethical pluralism, the role of consent, and social contract theory, I think there is a formula for choosing our moral duty.
The Social Contract Theory
One of the fundamental concepts in moral philosophy is the social contract theory. This theory explains that human beings originally lived in a state of nature in which there was no government, and each person was responsible for their safety and well-being (Seabright et al., 2021). However, over time, people realized that it would be better to live in a society where everyone contributed to the common good and enjoyed the benefits of living in a civilized community. In order to create this society, people had to agree to certain rules or laws, which acted as a social contract (Seabright et al., 2021). They acceded not to harm one another by cooperating for the benefit of all. In return, each person would be given certain rights and protections.
The social contract theory can be used to determine moral duty because by entering into a social contract, individuals essentially agree to uphold certain moral principles in order to maintain a functioning society. Without such an agreement, it would be difficult for people to know their obligations to others (Seabright et al., 2021). Social contract theories provide people with a framework within which they can make decisions about how best to act in order to uphold our obligations and protect our rights.
The Role of Consent
Regarding moral duties, consent is a key factor in determining what humans ought to do. In general, people should do whatever the other person consents to without any coercion. This is because consent ensures that both people are happy with the situation and that no one is being taken advantage of or exploited (Sarathy et al., 2019). There are some exceptions to this rule, of course; for example, if someone consents to something that goes against their fundamental rights or beliefs, then there may be a need not to respect their consent. However, in most cases, consent should be respected as the cornerstone of ethical decision-making.
The role of consent is a formula for deciding our moral duty because it takes into account the idea that other people are autonomous agents with their own thoughts, feelings, and desires. It recognizes that nobody should use or exploit the other without their consent because doing so would violate their autonomy. The role of consent also considers the fact that people are not always able to know what someone else wants or needs (Sarathy et al., 2019). Therefore, even if someone assumes to know what is best for them, they should still always ask them first before taking any action. This allows others to have a say in their own lives and makes sure that they are not being coerced or manipulated into doing something they do not want to do.
Ethical Pluralism
Ethical pluralism is a theory that holds that there is no one right answer to moral questions. This theory holds that the best way to make decisions about right and wrong is to consider the views of all people who might be affected by the decision. The idea behind ethical pluralism is that different people have different views on what is right and wrong. It also holds that it is not possible for any one person (or group of people) to say definitively the “correct” thing to do in every situation (Zhu et al., 2021). Instead, ethical pluralism encourages open dialogue and debate between different groups of people in order to formulate a decision that takes into account as many different points of view as possible.
Ethical pluralism is a formula for deciding our moral duty since it takes into account different ethical theories, which allows for a more well-rounded and inclusive understanding of right and wrong action. Rather than relying on one ethical theory to make all the decisions, ethical pluralism allows them to explore different theories and see which one might fit best in a particular situation (Zhu et al., 2021). This aids people in avoiding making extensive generalizations about what is right or wrong and instead makes decision-making more nuanced and designed for each unique situation.
Ross’s View
Ross’s view as a formula for deciding our moral duty is based on the principle of prima facie duty. This principle states that people have a prima facie (or basic) duty to do what is right, and this duty can be overridden by other considerations (Wendel, 2019). Ross lists six specific types of prima facie duties: beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, self-improvement, development of our abilities, and veracity. According to Ross, our general moral duty is to act in accordance with the considerations that would weigh most heavily on any impartial observer reasonably acquainted with all the relevant facts (Wendel, 2019). Ross’s view is considered a formula for deciding our moral duty because it provides a clear and concise way of determining the appropriate course of action in any situation. It considers the consequences of human actions, as well as the intentions behind them, and provides a framework for making ethical decisions. This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to lead an ethical life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of ways to think about our moral duty, and one approach is to consider the social contract theory. This theory posits that humans have a duty to uphold the agreements or contracts that they have made with others in society. The role of consent is crucial here; if a person has consented to be bound by a particular agreement, then he or she has a duty to uphold it. Ethical pluralism is another approach that can be used to think about our moral duty. This approach recognizes that there is a range of different ethical frameworks that can be used to make decisions and that different people may subscribe to different frameworks. On the other hand, Ross’s view holds that our duty is determined by what will produce the best. Thus, when taking all of these four factors into consideration, the formula for deciding our moral duty is clear.
References
Sarathy, V., Arnold, T., & Scheutz, M. (2019). When exceptions are the norm: Exploring the role of consent in HRI. ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction (THRI), 8(3), 1-21. Web.
Seabright, P., Stieglitz, J., & Van der Straeten, K. (2021). Evaluating social contract theory in the light of evolutionary social science. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 3. Web.
Wendel, W.B. (2019). The promise and limitations of artificial intelligence in the practice of law. Oklahoma Law Review, 72 (1), 21. Web.
Zhu, Q., Williams, T., & Wen, R. (2021). Role-based morality, ethical pluralism, and morally capable robots. Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia, 20(1), 134-150. Web.