Ethical Intuitionism

Summary

The video script delves into ethical intuitionism, a historically significant ethical theory that posits a pluralistic view of goods, acknowledges their potential conflicts, and recognizes the complexity of resolving these conflicts without universal rules. It discusses the concept of 'prima facie' duties, which are general moral guidelines that can conflict and require judgment, rather than strict adherence. The script also introduces W.D. Ross's list of basic duties, such as keeping promises and not harming others, which serve as a foundation for ethical decision-making in the absence of a one-size-fits-all ethical system.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ethical intuitionism is a historically influential approach to ethics that has seen periods of dominance and dismissal.
• 🌟 It experienced a peak in the early modern period and a resurgence in contemporary times, despite being considered 'dead' in the 1970s.
• 🤔 Ethical intuitionism is often misunderstood as a monolithic theory, but it encompasses two distinct perspectives: one structural and one psychological.
• 📝 The structural view posits three theses: pluralism (the existence of various goods), conflict (inevitable clashes among goods), and complexity (lack of universal rules to resolve conflicts).
• 💡 Pluralism suggests that there are many different kinds of goods, and no single unified theory can capture all that is good in human life.
• ⚖️ Conflict arises because these various goods can come into opposition, requiring difficult decisions and trade-offs.
• 🔍 Complexity indicates that there are no universal rules to resolve these conflicts; decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.
• 📉 Ethical intuitionism contrasts with other moral theories that promise a central method or decision procedure for ethical dilemmas.
• 📝 W.D. Ross, a prominent 20th-century philosopher, proposed a list of 'prima facie' duties that serve as general moral guidelines, though not absolute.
• 👥 Ross's duties include keeping promises, making amends, gratitude, fairness, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-injury, each with varying degrees of importance.
• 🔄 These duties can conflict with one another, and ethical intuitionism acknowledges the reality of such moral dilemmas without providing a definitive resolution method.

Q & A

What is ethical intuitionism?

Ethical intuitionism is an approach to ethics that emphasizes the role of intuition in determining moral values and actions. It suggests that certain moral principles are self-evident and can be known intuitively without the need for logical derivation or empirical evidence.

Why has ethical intuitionism been popular at certain periods in history?

Ethical intuitionism has been popular during periods such as the early modern period and the contemporary scene due to its simplicity and alignment with common moral intuitions. It was particularly dominant in Britain from shortly after 1900 until the 1950s.

What are the three theses of ethical intuitionism as described in the script?

The three theses of ethical intuitionism are pluralism, conflict, and complexity. Pluralism suggests that there are many different kinds of goods. Conflict indicates that these goods can come into conflict with each other. Complexity implies that there are no universal rules to resolve these conflicts.

What is the concept of 'pluralism' in ethical intuitionism?

Pluralism in ethical intuitionism refers to the idea that there are many different kinds of goods, and no single unified theory can capture all that is good in human life. It acknowledges the multiplicity and diversity of values.

How does the thesis of 'conflict' in ethical intuitionism manifest?

The thesis of 'conflict' in ethical intuitionism suggests that different goods can come into conflict with each other, requiring individuals to make difficult decisions and trade-offs, as they cannot always have all that they value simultaneously.

What does the thesis of 'complexity' entail in the context of ethical intuitionism?

The thesis of 'complexity' in ethical intuitionism means that there are no universal rules to resolve conflicts between goods. It highlights the absence of a decision procedure or formula to derive the right moral choice in every situation.

What are 'prima facie' principles according to ethical intuitionism?

Prima facie principles are general moral guidelines that hold true unless overridden by other considerations. They are not absolute rules but rather starting points for moral reasoning that can come into conflict and require judgment.

Who is W.D. Ross and what is his contribution to ethical intuitionism?

W.D. Ross was a British philosopher and a significant Aristotelian ethicist. His contribution to ethical intuitionism includes a list of seven general prima facie duties or principles that guide moral actions, which are not absolute but can come into conflict and require judgment.

What are the seven principles listed by W.D. Ross?

W.D. Ross lists seven principles: 1) Keep promises, 2) Make amends, 3) Be grateful, 4) Be fair or promote justice, 5) Be kind or beneficent, 6) Improve oneself, and 7) Do no harm or practice non-injury.

How does ethical intuitionism differ from other moral theories?

Ethical intuitionism differs from other moral theories by not promising a central method or decision procedure to derive the right answer. Instead, it acknowledges the complexity and conflict inherent in moral decisions and relies on general principles that are not universally binding.

What is the significance of the term 'protanto' in ethical intuitionism?

The term 'protanto' in ethical intuitionism refers to the notion that moral principles or obligations hold true 'for the most part' or 'other things being equal.' It signifies that these principles are not infallible and can have exceptions.