Works of mercy and the principle of familial preference

Abstract

The principle of familial preference (PFP) that's found in traditional moral philosophy has a specific role in practices of mercy. I trace the descent of the PFP from its origin in the order of charity to its operation in "natural" familial practices of mercy. After showing that the PFP has two distinct uses, I show how they govern extensions of mercy beyond the family, and I provide a central-equilibrium matrix to illustrate this. I consider how the PFP functions in the Parable of the Good Samaritan and I conclude that human persons have a natural right of familial preference.