If I could bring about equal amounts of good by fulfilling my promise or by benefiting someone to whom I had made no promise, the former is my duty.
If I could bring about equal amounts of good by fulfilling my promise or by benefiting someone to whom I had made no promise, the former is my duty.
Ross would say that I ought to keep my promise. Because of the promise, I have a specific duty to a specific person. So it matters who benefits from my action. My duty isn't just to bring about a certain sum total of good independently of who benefits.
Utilitarianism says that both acts are equally right -- which is very implausible.
If I could bring about equal amounts of good by fulfilling my promise or by benefiting someone to whom I had made no promise, the former is my duty.
Ross would say that I ought to keep my promise. Because of the promise, I have a specific duty to a specific person. So it matters who benefits from my action. My duty isn't just to bring about a certain sum total of good independently of who benefits.
Utilitarianism says that both acts are equally right -- which is very implausible.