Ethics as “Practical Philosophy”

Contemporary Issues in Ethical Knowledge

The complex ecological, anthropological, and civilizational challenges of the late 20th and early 21st centuries—stemming from the crisis of the global economy, political strife, the degradation of ecological systems, the violent demise of children, social, racial, and ethnic conflicts, as well as aggression and hatred rooted in religion—compel humanity to seek answers.

As practice demonstrates, legal statutes and international conventions alone cannot guarantee peaceful coexistence among nations and ethnic groups or foster mutual tolerance. We must recognize our collective responsibility and moral obligation toward humanity and the planet as a whole, which necessitates the discovery of shared values.

The majority of researchers concur that the pursuit of ethical foundations for human development will facilitate the establishment of a more humane global order. These issues have given rise to the phenomenon of the "ethical turn," in which the principle of "the value of the Other" comes to the forefront. The term "Other" encompasses individuals, social groups, society at large, nature, culture, history, and more. Many scholars (such as E. Levinas and Z. Bauman) argue that the basis of interpersonal interaction should be rooted in "openness to the Other," acknowledging the "otherness" of unique and autonomous individuals who are deserving of respect and care.

One avenue for seeking a reconciliation of ideas, positions, and common ethical values is "global ethics," which researchers define as "the practical moral experience of humanity, a collection of regulatory ideas and moral imperatives perceived as a universally obligatory minimum by representatives of all social entities within a multicultural space." The ideals underpinning "global ethics" express a desire for individuals to live in a world grounded in common ecological and ethical values, which allows for the existence of diverse ethical systems while minimizing intercultural conflicts.

As individuals become increasingly aware of the risks posed by technogenic and ecological disasters, they begin to reassess the priority of moral values, leading to an understanding of the relative insignificance of social, racial, national, and other differences, thereby fostering solidarity and civic concord. The risks associated with globalization unite humanity and compel it to seek a common moral response.

Efforts to explain and identify means for transitioning to shared morally significant responses to contemporary challenges, as well as to propose solutions for many conflicts—including those that are complex and occasionally morally contentious—are the domain of applied ethics as a new field of humanitarian knowledge. Moral values such as responsibility, honesty, justice, trust, solidarity, and subsidiarity are increasingly recognized as vital, prompting a search for tangible methods to implement them in daily practice. Ethical questions of an applied nature arise across various fields of practical activity. The composite image of applied ethics encompasses bioethics, medical ethics, ecological ethics, legal ethics, economic ethics, business ethics, scientific ethics, pedagogical ethics, journalistic ethics, advertising ethics, computer ethics, tourism ethics, and more.

Thus, applied ethics is a field of knowledge that addresses practical moral problems of a boundary and open nature. Examples of such problems include the death penalty, euthanasia, organ transplantation, and the sale of arms. These issues are boundary in nature because they touch upon fundamental moral principles and the value of life itself, and they are open because they manifest as dilemmas that are subject to moral argumentation.

The unprecedented growth of human knowledge and technological capabilities enables a reevaluation of traditional issues related to life (its inception, sustenance, and continuation) and death. Bioethics raises ethical questions regarding transplantation, genetic diagnostics, genetic engineering, and cloning. Business and advertising require ethical oversight, while adherence to moral norms becomes a criterion for the legitimacy and success of banking activities. Thus, applied ethics, with its profound philosophical significance, shapes fundamentally new conceptions of humanity. Universal norms and ethical requirements evolve through the resolution of applied problems.

The technological aspect of applied ethics is manifested in its capacity to develop methods and strategies for implementing applied knowledge in practice through projects, programs, standards, models, and codes, which collectively represent its "materialized power."

Applied ethics focuses on addressing the most pressing issues of contemporary life, applying ethical theoretical developments to ambiguous moral dilemmas, analyzing ethical conflicts in specific areas of social practice, elucidating fundamental moral principles of professional activity, and examining the experiences of existing social institutions tasked with ensuring ethical standards in various practical fields (such as ethics committees, expert ethical councils, etc.).

In today's world, if ethical considerations are disregarded, new dangers to human life emerge, necessitating a continual defense of inherent human rights, interests, and dignity.

Among the most pressing issues of our time that require resolution within an ethical framework, the following stand out (though this list is not exhaustive): the interaction between the state and society (is it permissible for the state to restrict human rights and impose a certain lifestyle, for example, in the context of terrorism?); is it justified to significantly prolong human life, and how does this relate to active aging? Does the activation of historical memory foster intergenerational connections? How can migration processes be optimized, and what should our attitude be toward migrants? Is it acceptable to utilize genetic engineering methods? Furthermore, a spectrum of ethical issues arising from contemporary military conflicts, the use of artificial intelligence, and the application of cyber weapons warrants consideration.

Consequently, ethics serves as the semantic core of philosophy, providing a bridge to the practical realities of life. It reveals, substantiates, and explains the nature, essence, place, and significance of morality in the development of both the individual and society, coordinating moral research with other disciplines that directly engage with humanity.

The term "ethics" denotes the science dedicated to the study of morality as an imperative-evaluative approach to human relations with reality, which regulates behavior through a principled opposition between good and evil.

Morality regulates interactions between individuals through internal conviction or motivation—conscience—and external persuasion—the power of public opinion (social condemnation or approval). Encompassing all forms of human activity, morality distinguishes between morally permissible, morally obligatory, and morally impermissible actions.

The uniqueness of morality's influence on the life of an individual, community, or society is evident in the integrity of its functioning, as morality simultaneously regulates, evaluates, and orients individuals within their value systems.

The essence, characteristics, and content of higher moral values are examined through fundamental categories of ethics and concepts of moral consciousness such as good and evil, freedom and responsibility, duty and conscience, honor and dignity, meaning of life and happiness.

In various spheres of practical activity, moral questions arise that carry an ethical-applied character. The endeavor to explain, find means for transitioning to shared morally significant responses to contemporary challenges, and indicate solutions for numerous conflicts—including complex and often morally ambiguous realities of professional and subject practice—constitutes applied ethics as a new field of humanitarian knowledge. The composite image of applied ethics includes bioethics, medical ethics, ecological ethics, legal ethics, economic ethics, business ethics, scientific ethics, pedagogical ethics, journalistic ethics, advertising ethics, computer ethics, tourism ethics, and others.