The word prima facie according to W.D Ross moral theory implies a conditional duty which is a moral obligation that carries some significance in virtue of it being obligatory. A prima facie duty is binding to all things equal, unless overridden by another higher priority task. There are several prima facie duties that we can utilize to choose what it is that we are obligated to do as human beings. Ross compiled seven types of prima facie obligations that include fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence (Garrett, 2004).
An Experience in Life When I Had To Prioritize My Obligations
I’d like to believe that Ross’s prima facie duties are ethically binding to almost everyone. I agree with the practice of common-sense moral conditions to which we have to adhere. They allow the prioritization of moral duties and choosing of the most applicable obligations pertaining to different circumstances.
I remember this one time when I promised to meet my father for dinner. According to Ross, I have a moral responsibility under fidelity to live up to my agreement with my dad. The prima facie of fidelity dictates that one has to keep their promises and adhere to a contract and not engage in any form of deception (Garrett, 2004). However, during the day we were supposed to meet, the lecturer scheduled an exam and I had to stay at home and revise for the exam. I called dad and asked him to postpone our dinner date to a later time when I would be free.by doing that, I broke my promise to meet my father for dinner because passing my exam was more important for me. Ross calls this an obligation to self-improvement. This duty is defined as the promotion of one’s own good, for example, health, security, wisdom, goodness, or happiness. These kind of obligations are deemed as virtuous (Garrett, 2004).
In another situation, we were presented with a class assignment to make a presentation on the previous global economic recession in America and the rest of the world. The assignment was due in two weeks, and I was assigned to a certain group with which we would make our final submissions. When the group leader called to ask me to attend the discussion meetings, I kept making up excuses until the final day when we were required to present. When the teacher asked me to make my submission, I told her that I had lost it, but she would not hear any of it. The whole group ended up failing in the assignment because I did not make my submission. In such circumstances, Ross states that I have a duty of repatriation to the members of my group. This is an obligation to make up for my wrong doing to my colleagues and apologize for my inconvenience. Therefore, I went to the teacher and reasoned with her that there was no need to fail the whole group because of my mistake. I told her the truth and asked her to fail me instead. Taking up responsibility for your own actions is reparatory and rests on a “previous wrongful act” as Ross puts it (Garrett, 2004).
In summary, I’d like to affirm that I live with common sense morality as depicted in the above scenarios. I agree with the concept of prioritizing moral duties and applying the prima facie principles in different situations. The application of these duties has made me agreeable with most people in my life, although it does not always satisfactory in some cases. For example, issues such as abortions put one in a moral dilemma as to saving either the mother or the child. While Ross’s harm prevention and beneficence obligations are called into question in such a case, there are other factors that are taken into consideration. The government legislation on such an issue states that the life of the mother should come first before that of the child. This is a never-ending debate on morality and is inconclusive on Ross’s prima facie duties. I plan to continue applying moral obligation theories in my life and in various situations that call for it in future.
Reference
Garrett, J. (2004). A Simple and Usable (Although Incomplete) Ethical Theory Based on the Ethics of W. D. Ross.
