The right action is always the action that produces the greatest total of intrinsic goodness.
The right action is always the action that produces the greatest total of intrinsic goodness.
Ross disagrees with utilitarianism. He sees the duty to produce intrinsic good as a prima facie duty (one which holds other things equal). But other duties, like the duty to keep promises, can sometimes override this one.
Suppose that by breaking a promise you'd bring about a slightly greater total of good. Common sense tells us that it would be wrong to break the promise.
The right action is always the action that produces the greatest total of intrinsic goodness.
Ross disagrees with utilitarianism. He sees the duty to produce intrinsic good as a prima facie duty (one which holds other things equal). But other duties, like the duty to keep promises, can sometimes override this one.
Suppose that by breaking a promise you'd bring about a slightly greater total of good. Common sense tells us that it would be wrong to break the promise.