Look, you can disagree with the moral position, fine. But fail to understand it? No intellectual should be unaware of the basic moral problems here for those whose ethical system is deontological rather than teleological.
If you're secular, read Kant. If you're Christian, read the sermon on the mount.
Anyone with a high school diploma ought to understand Ross's position, even if (s)he disagrees with it.
I take it to mean that he's surprised and unclear about the reasons why a smart person would hold such a stupid position.