The Rossian moral pluralist duties do not actually conflict

Abstract

In this essay, I argue that Ross’s Prima Facie moral duties are not actually in conflict because when an agent acts according to all the required moral duties, it should lead one towards the morally right action, instead of away from it. The main part of the essay will explain 1) how the Prima Facie moral duties do not actually conflict, 2) respond to objections about the explanation and 3) provide rejoinders to those objections. Although there exist some possible thought scenarios that the moral pluralist has to bite the bullet and say there is a conflict between the moral duties, I will address these situations and show why it is not a genuine problem for the moral pluralist.