ASSIGNMENT #4. DUE IN CLASS ON THURSDAY, JULY 10.

[15 POINTS]

Answer all parts: (a) Describe a hypothetical situation in which at least three kinds of the prima facie duties identified by Ross conflict with each other. [In your description, identify the three kinds of prima facie duties and explain why, initially, they seem to require three different actions.] (b) Ross does not believe that there is any useful principle for resolving conflicts among the prima facie duties. But he does not believe that the decision about what to do in such cases is arbitrary. For example, he does not believe that it would be permissible to toss a coin to decide what to do. How does Ross believe we should make a decision in cases of conflict? (c) Do you believe there is any useful princple for resolving conflicts among prima facie duties? Do you think the decision is arbitrary? Explain your answers. In your explanation, explain how you yourself would resolve the conflict in prima facie duties in the situation described in your answer to part (a). [Note: If you do not have any moral views, answer the question with respect to the moral view that seems to you to be most plausible. If you are uncertain about what would be morally required in the situation in part (a), explain why you are uncertain and also explain how you think someone ought to determine what to do in cases where there is uncertainty of this kind.]