In Search of a Methodological Foundation for Applied Ethics

1998 ◽  
pp. 45-50
Author(s):  
Louis Logister
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Methodological Foundation ◽  
Transcendental Method ◽  
The Difference

The problems that face contemporary applied ethics are indissolubly related to some characteristics of postmodern civil society. In this paper I will try to take a stand in the discussion between a proponent of a particularistic approach and one who favors a universalistic approach to the present difficulties that accompany human action. Karl-Otto Apel combines in his ethics of discourse a focus upon universal and normative structures of communication with a Kantian transcendental method of thought. Paul van Tongeren follows Aristotle and Nietzsche in arguing that the local and historically determined contingent traditions are the basis on which to approach our ethical questions. After giving a brief presentation of their respective contributions to the discussion, I shall end with some reflections on the difference between, and the merits and demerits of, a universalistic and a particularistic ethics.

scholarly journals Philosophies of interreligious dialogue: Practice in search of theory

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oddbjørn Leirvik
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Religious Education ◽  
Emmanuel Levinas ◽  
Interreligious Dialogue ◽  
Interfaith Dialogue ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mutual Change

In this article, I discuss how insights from Martin Buber’s and Emmanuel Levinas’ philosophies of dialogue have enlightened my own experience of inter-faith dialogue in Norway. Central perspectives here are Buber’s notion of ’the realm of the between’ and Levinas’ emphasis on asymmetry and vulnerability. Some other philosophers’ reasonings about dialogue are also considered, from the overall perspective of ’practice in search of theory’. In connection with a distinction be-tween different types of dialogue (’spiritual’ and ’necessary’), the difference between government initiated ’dialogue’ and initiatives originating from the faith communities (i.e., civil society) are discussed. The last part of the article analyses the notion of ’(mutual) change’ which is often brought forward when discussing the aims of interfaith dialogue. In this connection, religious education in school is also considered as a possible arena for dialogue—and ’change’.

scholarly journals Government relations and public administration in Ukraine: the latest forms of interaction between government and business

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 94-104
Author(s):  
S. A. Kvitka
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Democratic Development ◽  
Government Relations ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
The Difference

The article is devoted to the analysis of theoretical and practical aspects of the implementation of government relations (GR) mechanisms in the system of interaction between government and business. GR is considered in comparison with lobbying, public relations and public affairs. The article notes that GR creates new opportunities for ensuring coordination of the interests of power, business and civil society in Ukraine. In this sense, GR is a socially important mechanism for the democratic development of the society, since it enables businesses and civil society institutions to influence government decisions.At this time, some authors associate GR with lobbyism, believing that these concepts are identical. However, the difference in these areas is significant. Unlike traditional forms of lobbyism, which are closely linked to interpersonal interaction with politicians and civil servants, GR has a number of strategic advantages.First, in public consciousness in Ukraine, lobbyism, in contrast to GR, practically became synonymous with corruption, since the contacts of interested persons with the representatives of the political establishment take place behind the scenes. The secrecy of this process leads to the effect of negative perception in the social consciousness.Secondly, lobbying leads to the dependence of subjects of lobbying on personalities in power structures, on their subjective preferences and wishes. This negatively affects long-term planning, and also places market participants in an uneven position, for example, when state broadcasting is distributed in favor of one of the participants.Thirdly, the feature of GR is the constant use of new innovative communication technologies that come from foresight, marketing, PR and electoral campaigns.The article concludes that GR in Ukraine is an important tool for dialogue between the state and business, on which depends: the quality of public administration, the market conditions, the conditions of competition, the development of business in general. Such a dialogue requires legislative protection and mechanisms for the adoption of binding decisions for all parties on the basis of it, because a perspective-oriented business first of all expects from the authorities the stable rules of the game and their observance by all players. It is the practice of GR in Ukraine that meets the stated requirements and goals.

Battles of Ideas Between the Legal and the Legitimate

2021 ◽  
pp. 145-161
Author(s):  
Paula Castro ◽  
Sonia Brondi ◽  
Alberta Contarello
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Public Spheres ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The Many

This chapter discusses how social psychology can offer theoretical contributions for a better understanding of the relations between the institutional and public spheres and how this may impact change in ecological matters. First, it introduces the difference between natural and agreed—or chosen—limits to human action and draws on Sophocles’s Antigone to illustrate this and discuss how legitimacy has roots in the many heterogeneous values of the public sphere/consensual universe, while legality arises from the institutional/reified sphere. Recalling some empirical research in the area of social studies of sustainability, it then shows how a social representations perspective can help us understand the dynamic and interdependent relations between the institutional or reified sphere and the consensual or common sense universe—and their implications for social change and continuity.

Perceived Orientation of Contour Quadrangles

Perception ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naum Yakimoff ◽  
Polina Lolova
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Pair Comparison ◽  
Centre Of Gravity ◽  
The Difference

One hundred subjects ranked the apparent tilt of ten quadrangles. A scale of perceived orientation was derived from a pair-comparison treatment of these data. The main characteristic determining estimated orientation of the quadrangles was the axis from which the sum of the squared distances to each point of the figure was minimal (the LS-axis). Judgements were also influenced by the orientation of an ‘axis of balance’, which ran through the centre of gravity and the lowermost apex of the quadrangle. Quadrangles with parallel LS-axes were systematically judged as differently tilted according to the difference in the orientation of their axes of balance. Both the LS-axis and the axis of balance are physical characteristics of an object that are of great importance for the optimal control of human action through vision.

Kant, Garve, and the Motives of Moral Action

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Ludwig
Keyword(s):  
Moral Motivation ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Moral Action ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Physical Explanation ◽  
Natural Religion ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Kantian Morality ◽  
De Officiis

AbstractKant's comments `against Garve' constitute his reaction to the latter's remarks on Cicero's De Officiis . Two related criticisms of Kant's against Garve are discussed in brief in this paper. A closer look is then taken at Garve's claim that `Kantian morality destroys all incentives that can move human beings to act at all'. I argue that Kant and Garve rely on two different models of human action for their analyses of moral motivation; these models differ in what each takes to be salient for the explanation of human action. I show that Samuel Clarke's analogy of physical explanation in the framework of Newtonianism (in his Discourse concerning the Unchangeable Obligations of Natural Religion ) usefully illuminates the difference between Kant and Garve in these respects.

scholarly journals Los argumentos resbaladizos. El uso practico de razonamientos imperfectos

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mª Teresa López de la Vieja
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Slippery Slope ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Risky Decision ◽  
Ancient Greek Philosophy ◽  
The One ◽  
Practical Argumentation

RESUMENEl artículo analiza el papel desempeñado por los argumentos de pendiente resbaladiza en los debates prácticos. Por un lado, estos argumentos suelen ejemplificar una forma d razonamiento imperfecto o paradójico. De hecho, la Filosofía clásica griega ya identificó las principales dificultades del sorites, el argumento del «montón». Por otro lado, la pendiente resbaladiza llama de nuevo la atención de la Filosofía contemporánea, ya que ocupa un lugar destacado en determinadas cuestiones morales, como pueden ser la eutanasia, los límites de la investigación biomédica, o las posibles consecuencias de la intervención humana sobre el medio ambiente natural y sobe otras especies, no humanas. De esta forma, la Ética aplicada examina los riesgos y efecto son deseables de decisiones que, el comienzo, eran o parecían perfectamente aceptables, y lo hace así a pesar de que la metáfora de la pendiente resbaladiza no pueda aportar suficientes evidencias para frenar aquellas decisiones que comportan riesgos. Aun así, la pendiente sirve para expresar el peligro, la tragedia, los efectos negativos que amenazarían nuestra existencia, o la de las generaciones futuras. Por lo tanto, imágenes como la «caja de Pandora», la «ruptura de los diques», el «alud», no solo transmiten que algunas acciones pueden poner en riesgo la vida sino que, además, ilustran el uso práctico de los argumentos imperfectos.PALABRAS CLAVEpendiente resbaladiza, argumentación práctica, Ética aplicada.ABSTRACTThe article would analyze the role of the slippery-slope arguments in practical debates. On the one hand, they usually exemplify the imperfect, paradoxical reasoning; in fact, the ancient Greek Philosophy already identified the central flaws of the sorites, the «heap» argument. On the other hand, the metaphor of the slippery-slope draws again the attention of contemporary Philosophy, since it has a central part in some ethical issues, as happens with questions like euthanasia, the limits of biomedical research, and the possible consequences of the human action on the natural environment, and on non-humans. So, applied Ethics considers risks and undesirable effects of decisions that, at the very beginning, are, or seem acceptable, in spite of the fact that the slippery-slope could not allege enough evidences to prevent from this risky decision. However, it expresses how danger, tragedy, negative outcome would intrude in our existence, or in the existence of the next generations. Therefore, images like the «Pandora’s box», the «broken docks», the «avalanche», etc, not only suggest that some actions could definitively endanger life, but they illustrate the practical use of imperfect arguments.KEY WORDSslippery- slope, practical argumentation, applied Ethics

scholarly journals Flood debit analysis based on land use: A case of Batang Arau Watershed, Padang

2019 ◽  
Vol 343 (1) ◽  
pp. 012003
Author(s):  
L Utama ◽  
Amrizal ◽  
I Berd ◽  
Zuherna
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Recharge Area ◽  
The Difference

Abstract A flood may occur for both climatology and human action factors. The climatology factors can be in the form of land degradation, land-use changes, and population increase. The land-use changes can identify when there is a conversion of recharge area into a built area. The conversion may happen because there is potency for a flood area to transform into a place of cities development and settlements. When the population increases, space needed also enlarges. Consequently, the surface flow increase and can cause a flood. Padang - Indonesia, has high rainfall intensity around 3,329 to 4,296 mm/year, which results in a frequent flood. The worst flood occurred on 26 September 2018 and 2 November 2018, which washed away a bridge and caused a 3-meter high puddle. In analyzing those phenomena, this study applied a descriptive qualitative method. The image used in the map was analyzed with Argis X quantum program to get a flood-prone map. The rainfall was calculated by using methods of Thiesen, Gumbel, and Log Pearson III, while the debt calculated using the rational method. The difference debit between these was 42,030m3/second. The results, the amount of land used to discharge was higher than due to the rainfall.

scholarly journals Thinking ethics differently (challenges and opportunities for engineers education)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-184
Author(s):  
Carmen Mariana Pasca ◽  
Chadi Fouad Riman
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Moral Principles ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Ethics Program ◽  
Key Issues

Ethics has many definitions, each depending on its domain. In the ancient times, ethics was based on the principles of good action and the search for the common good.  Generally, Ethics is understood as a system of moral principles which affect our ways of living. Ethics are related with what is good for society and individuals and is described as moral philosophy. Ethics only makes sense if we put them in the context of human action understood as responsible, creative and communicative. Applied Ethics and Codes of conducts have appeared in the contemporary period. One of the key issues in the engineering education ethics program is the problem of margins/limits of autonomy that will enable future engineers to act ethically in accordance with universal ethical principles and the existing codes of ethics. Computer ethics adds the intellectual property rights, and also the use of personal data. The paper shows a general review of ethics, its history, its evolution, with an emphasis on engineering education. It also mentions the big data issue in ethics.

scholarly journals How Context Shapes the Authority of International Courts

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Alter ◽  
Laurence R. Helfer ◽  
Mikael Rask Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
International Courts ◽  
Political Dynamics ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Context Shapes ◽  
Local Levels ◽  
Over Time

This chapter elaborates our authority framework, explaining how we measure narrow, intermediate, and extensive authority, and then identifies a range of institutional, social, and political factors that shape the authority of international courts. Institution-specific context captures features that are distinctive to a particular IC, such as its design and subject matter mandate. These features vary across courts, but there may also vary within a single IC over time or across issue areas. Constituencies context analyzes issues related to IC interlocutors, including government officials, judges, attorneys, legal experts, and civil society groups. Political context, considers how political dynamics at global, regional and local levels affect IC authority. We conclude by considering the difference between IC authority and power.

‘Irresistible Impulse’ and Moral Responsibility

1977 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 99-134
Author(s):  
Susan Khin Zaw
Keyword(s):  
Moral Responsibility ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Human Action ◽  
The Other ◽  
Legal Tradition ◽  
Human Actions ◽  
Moral Appraisal ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Difference

Should the insane and the mentally ill be held morally responsible for their actions? To answer ‘No’ to this question is to classify the mentally abnormal as not fully human: and indeed legal tradition has generally oscillated between assimilating the insane to brutes and assimilating them to children below the age of discretion, neither of these two categories being accountable in law for what they do. In what respect relevant to moral responsibility were the insane held to resemble brutes and children? In the case of brutes, the answer seems to have been that the doings of the insane appeared to lack whatever it is that marks out human actions as distinctively human. What the insane did could not be thought of as issuing from deliberation, or as capable of having issued from deliberation, but seemed rather to be the result of the unbridled operation of nature — if a diseased nature. The natural comparison with insane killings seemed to be, for example, the killing of birds by cats. This distinction between animal doings and human actions does not depend on Cartesian views about the workings of animals; the operation of nature need not be thought of as mechanical. The thought is simply that where there is no room for deliberation there is no room for moral appraisal. Children, on the other hand, though capable of distinctively human action — i.e. of deliberating about what they do — were held not to be capable of the relevant kind of deliberation: for they were held ‘not to know the difference between right and wrong’.

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