Этика и современность

Abstract

The main directions of modern ethics are analysed in order to assess their potential in the development of universally significant moral standards. The analysis was carried out taking into account modern social processes. The reality of modern culture is postmodernism, which claims to express the spirit of modern society in all spheres of human activity. It is considered whether the implementation of the provisions developed in the communicative ethics and ethics of responsibility in a mass society in a culture of postmodernism can be successful. Since the basic principle of communicative ethics is the postulation of a common unifying fundamental interest, revealed through a reasonable discussion, the ability of modern people to reach an agreement was evaluated. The ability to reach an agreement was considered through the accompanying characteristics, namely, trust, independence, responsibility, that is, what defines an individual as a subject. Indeed, the implementation of a productive communicative action requires such basic relationships as respect, sincere interest in another, trust, what constitutes true subjectsubject relations. It is shown that in a mass society a person acts in many situations as an “abstract” and “anonymous” individual. He is dependent on powerful impersonal administrative-bureaucratic mechanisms with their formalism and inevitable coercion. The main encouraged character trait of such a person is thoughtless diligence. The anonymity of society relieves a person of responsibility for his actions. It is concluded that postmodern society creates insurmountable obstacles for the implementation of the development of communicative ethics. It is necessary to create conditions for interaction, respect and trust. Without the development of the spiritual and moral component of society, it is not possible to correct the situation. In the absence of a subject, that is, an independent and responsible individual, only the ethic of postmodernism, which is nihilism, are possible.