In Search of a Methodological Foundation for Applied Ethics :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

In Search of a Methodological Foundation for utilize EthicsABSTRACT The problems that face contemporary applied ethics argon indissolubly related to some characteristics of postmodern cultured society. In this paper I will try to take a stand in the news between a prop binglent of a particularistic approach and one who favors a universalist 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 colloquy 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 rear end on which to approach our ethical questions. later giving a sketch presentation of their respective partings to the discussion, I shall end with some reflections on the variation between, and the merits and demerits of, a universalistic and a particularistic ethics. Until very recently in the history of mankind, most people lived in rather small communities. Their fellowship of and their influence on distant cultures was rather limited. With the rise of modern science, resulting in the present communication era, things changed considerably. Today, mans cultural evolution has reached a point where the local and the global dimensions of his actions are hard to distinguish.Another feature of our existence at the present fin de sicle is the declining influence of the great narrative traditions. In our magnanimous democracies the new leading narrative is that of the free market, accompanied by the positive of unlimited profit making and consumerism. The lack of a consensus on some basic social prys which results from the declining influence of the great stories of our traditions, generates a mentality of collective individualism and value relativism. In this situation we face the danger of initiating a process in which the rather fashionable ideals of plu ralism and tolerance turn out to be mere indifference. (1) The problems that face contemporary ethics are indissolubly related to these characteristic features of post-modern civil society. In this paper I will try to take a stand in the discussion between proponents of a particularist approach and those who opt a universalistic approach to the present difficulties that accompany human action. After giving a brief presentation of Karl-Otto Apels and Paul van Tongerens contribution 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.