W. D. Ross
modernAnalytic Philosophy, Deontological Ethics1877 – 1971
Sir William David Ross (1877–1971) was a Scottish philosopher and Kantian ethicist best known for his theory of prima facie duties, which he developed as a pluralistic alternative to both utilitarianism and strict Kantian deontology. His work in moral philosophy, particularly in 'The Right and the Good' (1930), emphasized that multiple moral obligations can conflict and that practical wisdom is required to adjudicate between them. He also produced influential translations and commentaries on Aristotle.
Notable Achievements
1
Developed the theory of prima facie duties as a pluralistic moral framework
2
Authored 'The Right and the Good' (1930), a landmark text in 20th-century ethics
3
Critiqued utilitarian and single-principle deontological theories with a nuanced pluralism
4
Produced influential scholarly translations of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and other works
5
Served as Provost of Oriel College, Oxford, and made major contributions to Oxford moral philosophy