Structure of Applied Ethics: Morality, Ethics, and Deontology
Applied Ethics is structured across three distinct levels: Morality (Level 0), which is the descriptive, lived code of conduct; Ethics (Level 1), which is the philosophical reflection and justification of moral systems using frameworks like teleology and deontology; and Professional Deontology, which translates these general ethical principles into concrete, mandatory duties and norms for specific professional fields.
Key Takeaways
Morality is the descriptive, 'pre-installed' code of daily practice, representing existing norms and customs.
Ethics is the philosophical reflection that seeks to justify or fundamentally ground moral systems by asking 'why'.
Deontology applies ethical principles by defining concrete duties and norms for specific professional fields.
Ethical justification relies on frameworks including Teleological, Deontological, and Dialogical traditions.
What is Morality, and how does this 'Lived Code' relate to the study of Ethics?
Morality, designated as Level 0 or Lived Morality, represents the existing, practical code of conduct that guides daily life, functioning essentially as a 'pre-installed' system of behavior. It is fundamentally defined by the collective set of norms, values, and customs already present and accepted within a community. This level is characterized by its factual and descriptive nature, meaning it describes what people actually do and believe, rather than what they ought to do. Morality is critically important because it serves as the primary object of study for the entire field of Ethics, often conceptualized as the 'Legacy Code' that requires philosophical analysis and interpretation.
- Defined as the existing set of norms, values, and customs that are currently present and accepted in society.
- Functions effectively as the 'pre-installed' code that governs the practice of daily life and routine conduct.
- Characterized by its inherently factual and descriptive nature, detailing the moral practices that are currently lived.
- Serves as the essential object of study for the entire field of Ethics, which analyzes this inherited moral framework, known as 'Legacy Code'.
How does Ethics function as 'Thought Morality,' and what are the main traditions of justification?
Ethics, known as Level 1 or Thought Morality, moves beyond mere description to engage in deep philosophical reflection on the moral systems inherited from Level 0. Its core purpose is to rigorously question the 'why' behind human action and to seek robust justification or solid foundation for various moral systems. This process relies on established traditions of justification, or frameworks, to analyze moral claims. Furthermore, Ethics includes Civic Ethics, which focuses on establishing an Ethics of Minimums—shared values like justice, liberty, and equality—necessary for pluralistic coexistence in society.
- Involves deep philosophical reflection on the existing moral framework and its underlying principles of action.
- Seeks to justify or fundamentally ground various moral systems through rigorous rational analysis and debate.
- Directly addresses the fundamental question of the 'why' of the action, seeking moral reasons and justifications.
- Teleological Ethics focuses on achieving desired ends (Telos), such as maximizing general welfare, exemplified by Utilitarianism.
- Deontological Ethics focuses strictly on inherent duty, independent of consequences, exemplified by Kant's Categorical Imperative.
- Dialogical Ethics bases moral validity on achieving rational consensus among all affected participants, as proposed by Habermas.
- Civic Ethics establishes shared values (Justice, Liberty, Equality) necessary for peaceful, pluralistic coexistence (Ethics of Minimums).
What is Professional Deontology, and how does it translate ethical principles into concrete duties?
Deontology, often termed Professional Ethics, functions as a specialized branch of Applied Ethics, focusing specifically on defining the mandatory duties and norms for a particular profession, such as software engineering. Its crucial role is the translation of broad, abstract ethical principles into concrete, enforceable rules of conduct. For example, a general ethical mandate is translated into the specific professional duty to guarantee the security and quality of software products. This professional framework draws its philosophical support primarily from Deontological Ethics, emphasizing the fulfillment of duty, and also from Civic Ethics, particularly regarding duties like non-discrimination.
- Represents a specific, focused branch of the broader field of Applied Ethics and its practical application in the world.
- Defines the necessary set of mandatory duties and norms for a specific profession, such as Software Engineering.
- Translates general, abstract ethical principles into concrete, actionable rules of professional conduct.
- Example translation: The professional duty to guarantee the security and quality of software products and systems.
- Philosophically supported by Deontological Ethics, emphasizing the strict fulfillment of professional duty.
- Also supported by Civic Ethics, particularly regarding the professional duty of non-discrimination and fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Morality and Ethics?
Morality is the descriptive, lived code of conduct (Level 0), comprising existing norms and customs. Ethics is the philosophical, reflective analysis (Level 1) that seeks to justify or critique those moral systems.
What are the main traditions used to justify ethical systems?
The main traditions are Teleological Ethics, which focuses on achieving good ends (like Utilitarianism); Deontological Ethics, which focuses on duty regardless of consequences (like Kantianism); and Dialogical Ethics, based on rational consensus.
How does Deontology relate to Applied Ethics?
Deontology is a specific branch of Applied Ethics. It takes general ethical principles and translates them into concrete, mandatory duties and norms tailored for a specific professional field, ensuring accountability and quality.
