Discussion On The Three Theoretical Forms Of Ethics

After more than two thousand years development, Ethics has become a complex theoretical system of offering various schools until now. How to take on internal division on ethical system, has become the basic theoretical task for the theoretical reflection and discipline development for the modern theory of ethics. The first level of internal on ethical system is the division based on the theory of morphology (typology).Since the second half of the20th century, ethics circles from the domestic to the foreign has continued to explore, and published a number of views on the division based on the theory of morphology (typology) of theories of ethics. As there are many differences between these views, it is difficult to draw a conclusion. The reason is mainly that different views have different degrees of differences or even contradictions on the understanding of the concept of theoretical formation and the basis for division. Based on starting with the definition of the concept of theory forms, this article provides a relatively clear definition on the theoretical problems of theory forms of ethics; And taking on necessary review of the representative views on the division of theoretical formation of ethics in academia. Based on it, this article put forward that on the basis of the core connotation of the organic combination of the three theoretical elements such as the transform of the theoretical topics, updating of the theoretical methods and the present of characteristics of theories, the ethical theoretical system can be divided into three basic theoretical forms like Normative ethics, Meta-ethics, as well as Applied ethics. However, to make sure that whether such a classification basis and the conclusions are reasonable, an in-depth review of three theoretical forms can be proved, therefore, the internal research of the three theoretical forms has been the necessary links for the arguments of this article.Normative ethics, is a theoretical form to justify moral norms as the main content, its central theme is researching of moral basis--that is, to take on metaphysics arguments on the value bases of moral norms and its theoretical aim is to provide universal values guide and behavior codes for moral practices. According to the distinction on the value order between these two basic moral value categories of "good" and "right", Normative ethics can be distinguished into two value argument methods as Teleology and Deontology. This article holds the discussion on the argument traits and thinking features of Normative ethics separately, setting Aristotle's theory of Virtue thought and John mill's thought of Utilitarianism as a representative of teleology, and Kant's theory of duties as typical example of Deontology.Meta-ethics is a theoretical form using moral language analysis and logical argument as the main content, its theoretical topic is the clarification on the expression of moral concept--that is, to conduct the language analysis on the moral concept and logical argument on the moral judgment used by Normative ethics, with the only purpose of the pursuit of moral knowledge (logical truth). Moral language analysis is one of the key elements of Meta-ethics. This article selects the ethical core category of "good and evil", as well as the basic category in the modern moral discourse analysis of "duties and rights" to take on language analysis, therefore, to demonstrate the theoretical characteristics of the language analysis of Meta-ethics.Applied ethics is a new theory paradigm taking on moral dilemmas in the contemporary social fields as the main research object, with the core theme as to seek moral consensus for the solving of practical problems. The moral consensus here refers to ethical consensus (limited consensus) for specific areas, rather than the common moral consensus of traditional Normative ethics. The theoretical objective of Applied ethics is to provide value arguments and ethical justification for moral act choices. Based on the complexity and comprehensiveness of theory objects, Applied ethics widely drawing on modern research methods in social science and natural science, formed a "reflective equilibrium" as the main body of the comprehensive methodology system. Applied ethics, as the latest theoretical form, has a clear theoretical limit between traditional Normative ethics and modern Meta-ethics.Through investigation of the three theoretical forms of ethics above, a basic conclusion can be drawn:there exist substantive of differences between the three theoretical forms of ethics on the aspects of theme, method and characteristic, and the development on the theoretical forms from Normative ethics to Meta-ethics and then to Applied ethics, constitute basically the historical panorama of ethics theory, reflect comparatively full to the evolution logic of ethics theory-historical unity of the development of ethics theory and the development of morality. The evolution logic of ethical theory implies some profound theoretical implications, which have an important theoretical value for the development of contemporary Chinese ethics.