W. D. Ross

W. D. Ross (1877-1971) was a Scottish philosopher who made significant contributions to moral philosophy and Aristotelian scholarship. His most influential work, "The Right and the Good" (1930), established him as a leading figure in ethical theory, particularly known for developing the concept of prima facie duties and advancing moral intuitionism. Ross's philosophical framework rejected both Kantian absolutism and utilitarian consequentialism, instead proposing a pluralistic deontological approach to ethics. His system identified several self-evident moral duties including fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence. Beyond his ethical work, Ross was a respected classical scholar who produced authoritative translations of Aristotle's texts. His 12-volume translation of Aristotle's works, completed with John Alexander Smith, remains an important reference for scholars. Ross also served as Provost of Oriel College, Oxford, and was knighted for his contributions to philosophy and education.

Readers value Ross's clear explanation of moral duties and his systematic approach to ethical decision-making. His writing style receives praise for making complex philosophical concepts accessible while maintaining academic rigor. Liked: - Clear breakdown of prima facie duties - Practical applications to real moral dilemmas - Quality of Aristotle translations - Balanced critique of competing ethical theories Disliked: - Dense academic language in some sections - Limited examples in key arguments - Repetitive passages in later chapters - Some find his moral intuitionism unconvincing On Goodreads, "The Right and the Good" averages 4.1/5 stars from 214 ratings. Readers note it requires concentrated study but rewards careful reading. One reviewer states: "Ross provides a compelling alternative to both rigid rule-based ethics and pure consequentialism." His Aristotle translations rate 4.4/5 on Amazon (89 reviews), with scholars praising their accuracy and students appreciating the helpful footnotes.

The Right and the Good (1930) A foundational text in moral philosophy that introduces Ross's theory of prima facie duties and moral intuitionism, presenting a systematic framework for understanding ethical obligations and moral decision-making.

Aristotle (1923) A comprehensive examination of Aristotle's life, works, and philosophical system, providing detailed analysis of his metaphysics, ethics, and natural philosophy.

Foundations of Ethics (1939) An expansion and refinement of the ethical theories presented in The Right and the Good, addressing criticisms and developing more detailed arguments for moral intuitionism.

Kant's Ethical Theory (1954) A critical analysis of Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy, examining its strengths and weaknesses while comparing it to other ethical frameworks.

Plato's Theory of Ideas (1951) A detailed study of Plato's theory of forms and its development throughout his dialogues, with particular attention to metaphysical and epistemological implications.

The Works of Aristotle (1908-1952) A 12-volume translation of Aristotle's complete works, produced in collaboration with J. A. Smith, providing scholarly commentary and interpretation alongside the translations.

Aristotle developed the ethical framework that heavily influenced Ross's moral philosophy and wrote extensively on virtue ethics. His works like Nicomachean Ethics and Politics explore fundamental questions about moral character and the nature of right action.

Henry Sidgwick wrote systematic analyses of moral philosophy and explored intuitionism in "The Methods of Ethics". His work on ethical theory addresses similar fundamental questions to Ross about how we determine right from wrong.

G.E. Moore developed influential arguments for moral intuitionism and non-naturalism in ethics in "Principia Ethica". His views on the objectivity of moral truth and the irreducibility of good share common ground with Ross's ethical framework.

Elizabeth Anscombe critiqued modern moral philosophy and advocated for a return to virtue ethics in the Aristotelian tradition. Her work "Modern Moral Philosophy" sparked renewed interest in character-based approaches to ethics that complement Ross's focus on duties.

Bernard Williams examined the limitations of systematic moral theories and defended a more nuanced approach to ethical thinking. His writings on moral luck and the importance of personal projects engage with similar tensions Ross explored between absolute rules and contextual judgment.