This paper revisits one of the more frequented stops at the crossroads of politics and morality in contemporary ethical theory, Michael Walzer’s essay “Political Action: The Problem of Dirty Hands.” The aim is to provide a fresh assessment of Walzer’s project, and to evaluate the tenability of its core notion of “dirty hands.” In pursuit of this aim, the effort is made to reopen the paths which take Walzer to his celebrated impasse, from two directions. The first of these resituates Walzer’s analysis in the context of the debate within Anglo-American ethical theory in which it is originally expounded. The second route seeks to recapture the trail of thinkers who guide Walzer to his conclusions from more remote locations in intellectual history, in order to determine the reliability of his intriguing constellation of Machiavelli, Weber and Camus as lodestars. Writing thirty years later, one of Walzer’s friendliest interpreters, Jean Elshtain, in the midst of her enthusiasm for ‘dirty hands,’ renews doubts about his recommendation of “casuistry.” Hints from throughout Walzer’s essay, incompletely elaborated there, are parceled together into closing suggestions as to an alternative approach to so-called ‘dirty hands’ situations. / text

Due to the fact that Scripture is the authoritative Word of God (Belgic Confession. Article 5), the infallible written Word of God. is and stays the basis for Christian ethics. Scripture is not just another single source for Christian ethics among other sources, but it is the decisive source among all other sources. The question then arises - how is it possible in the ever-changing life situation of the modem day context of society? In an ever increasing secularized society places the Christian life and also the Christian ethics under more pressure. The acceptance of the authority of Scripture is therefore indispensable for Christian ethics. Scripture does however not present a text as an absolute answer for every possible or similar ethical problem. The deep-seated principles of Scripture must be exposed. From these principles norms should be derived that is applicable to the modem problem. The problem statement that follows from this culminates as the following: Can a thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma present a fundamental working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics? The central theoretical argument of the study is the following: A thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma can indeed present a fundamental, working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and can serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics. In the second chapter the definitions of what could be defined as Christian ethical perspectives and principles is examined. In other words, the purpose of the chapter is to examine and to give a broad overview of the understanding of ethics, morality, morals etc. The qualified deontological approach is chosen due to the fact that normative approach with its focus on Scripture as authoritative therein plays a big role. The third chapter focuses on which view of Scripture and use of Scripture is normally applied in Reformed ethics in the use or interpretation of Scripture. Special attention is given to the authority of Scripture, view of Scripture and an attempt is made to convey the hermeneutical points of departure (axioms) in order to derive an intra-biblical use of Scripture. The chapter comes to the conclusion that even though the Christian ethicist does have in theory at his disposal a biblical-founded hermeneutical model it does not safeguard him against a faulty use or interpretation of Scripture in practice in the fourth chapter the present-day Scriptural principles that serves as basis and cadre for the interpretation of Scripture in light of the answering of Christian ethical questions is examined. In light of the present-day situation seems that although there is a sound hermeneutical axiom that serves as filters in the interpretation of Scripture in the reformed ethics, in practice either a biblicistic or a Criticism of Scripture approach to Scripture is chosen. The approaches of the fundamentalistic/biblicistic and Criticism of Scripture is examined and m e s to the conclusion that both, in their own way, does bring the authority and the message of Scripture in disrepute. In the event of the fundamentalistic and biblicistic approach the divine inspiration character of Scripture is overemphasized and all Scriptural Utterances is treated on the same level to such an instance that everything is sanctioned. In the event of the Criticism of Scripture the human fallible character is again overemphasized to the extent that the normative authority of Scripture for Christian ethics is not taken into account . The chapter comes to the conclusion mat a "third way” must be examined to circumvent the many pitfalls of either a fundamentalistic/biblicistic of Criticism of Scripture in the interpretation of Scripture in light of a modem day ethical problem. In the fifth chapter an adjudication and evaluation of the quality of the use or Interpretation of Scripture in light of capital punishment within the biblical view of a right to life is given as a representative of modem day ethical problems. In light of the principles given in Chapter 3 and 4 it is shown that Scripture is most often misused despite fair hermeneutical principles Only to reflect the ethicist own preconceived ideas. The last chapter indicates an approach that might possibly serve as an alternative/valid use or interpretation of Scripture in reformed ethics other than a typical biblicistic/fundamentalistic or Criticism of Scripture approach. The chapter draws to the conclusion that the contextual-paradigmatic approach is at this time the only capable approach of acknowledging the proper interpretation of Scripture to shed some light on the ethical problems of modem day society, without stepping into the boundaries of either a biblicistic/fundamentalistic of Criticism of Scripture interpretation of Scripture. The contextual-paradigmatic approach succeeds in preventing the ethicist to misinterpret Biblical texts that seems to be of importance to the debate of capital punishment and to make a scientific contribution lo important debates in South Africa today, especially those related to the interpretation of the Bible and its use in the development of South Africa. In this way an attempt is made to contribute towards and to provide guidelines for a healthy and responsible society and for the functioning of Christians within the current South African state. The message of the Bible must thus be established in a responsible and valid way, and communicated effectively to society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:16:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO_FINAL_SERGIO.pdf: 697978 bytes, checksum: f6e9a87885f7a3521497057b99ecc18f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-01-26 / The purpose of this essay was, trough a theoretical research for a philosophical basis, to analyze how the deontology study, observing the influences of the Emerging Educational Paradigm, may contribute for the education of the Physical education Professional and how, adhering to Freire s human being concepts, Morin, Maturana and Varela and the ongoing legislation, the higher education in this context is situated. Ethical principles were observed as remarkable for the Professional development in Physical Education, and it was confirmed this necessity throughout the essay done. Analysis tools were used, basic philosophical concepts of moral and ethical distinction in La Taille and Severino; studies of the Ethical and Bioethical preparation in Tojal; new science paradigms according to the Santos studies; of the Emerging Educational paradigm in Moraes and of the teaching learning relations in the Higher Education through the thinking of authors like Severino, Libâneo, Saviani, Cunha, Dias Sobrinho and Arroyo. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi, através de pesquisa teórica para uma fundamentação filosófica, analisar como o estudo da Deontologia, observando as influências do Paradigma Educacional Emergente, pode contribuir com a formação do Profissional de Educação Física e como, com aderência aos conceitos de ser humano de Freire, Morin, Maturana e Varella e da legislação vigente, situa-se o ensino superior neste contexto. Princípios éticos foram observados como imprescindíveis para o desenvolvimento profissional em Educação Física, e confirmamos esta necessidade no decorrer do trabalho. Utilizamos como instrumentos de análise, conceitos filosóficos básicos da distinção de moral e ética em La Taille e Severino; estudos da preparação Ética e Bioética em Tojal; novos paradigmas da ciência segundo os estudos de Santos; do Paradigma Educacional Emergente em Moraes e das relações de ensino-aprendizagem do Ensino Superior através do pensamento de autores como Severino, Libâneo, Saviani, Cunha, Dias Sobrinho e Arroyo.

The diploma thesis refers to the applicability of ethical theories in solving the dilemmas of social workers in homes for the elderly. The thesis is divided into four parts. In the first part there is defined a residential social service in the form of a home for seniors and characterized the nature of social work in this facility. The second part defines eleven dilemmas social workers encounter in their practice and also the reasons why social workers avoid them. The third part describes the essence of ethical theory in social work practice. It is focused on the description of three selected theories which include deontology, utilitarianism and the ethics of care. The last part concerns the application of these theories to the two ethical dilemmas of social workers: to contact or not to contact client's family, to solve or not to solve client's problems.

The diploma thesis is focused on the dilemmas of social workers at the Labor Office of the Czech Republic, at the department of benefits of material emergency. The aim of this work was to find out with what dilemmas the social workers at the Czech Labor Office, the department of physical expectations meet, and then to analyze two selected dilemmas through ethical theories. The thesis is divided into five chapters, the first three are focused on the theoretical introduction to the topic. The first chapter describes the scope, organizational structure of the Labor Office of the Czech Republic, the system of assistance in material need and benefits, which resolve the state of material need of the citizens. The second chapter is aimed at a social worker in the separation of the benefits of material need and social work with clients in material need. In the third chapter I describe ethics and ethical aspects of social work. The fourth and fifth chapters are crucial for this work. The fourth chapter describes and describes specific dilemmas encountered by social workers at the Labor Office of the Czech Republic in the department of subjects of material Need. The last fifth chapter contains a description of the selected ethical theory and two of my chosen dilemmas, which are analyzed in terms of selected ethical theories, namely deontology, utilitarianism and ethics of care.

Abstract The ban against torture is part of customary international law and is prohibited under all circumstances. Nevertheless, torture is conducted by nearly 150 countries all over the world,according to Amnesty International. Torture often serves as a means for governments to protect themselves from internal and external threats to the security of the state apparatus. The research problem seeks to investigate whether torture is ever justifiable when a nation finds itself in an emergency situation. This dilemma is examined through two moral theories, deontology and consequentialism, which are the two most debated theories in this context. This research investigates three case countries; USA, Israel and Argentina, all of which have resorted to violent interrogation/ torture of detainees under national security situations. In the analysis chapter, an examination of the two moral theories´ interpretations in each case country’s policy of violent interrogation / torture is carried out. The study was conducted using qualitative methods, idea analysis and the case study method. In conclusion, the deontologist perspective takes an absolutist approach, in which torture is never justifiable, whereas the consequentialist perspective deems torture to be justifiable in cases such as the “ticking bomb,” where many innocent lives may be saved. A further debate regarding the issue of torture and justifiability is needed, unless debated and questions are raised regarding the use of torture, we merely drive torture underground.

The idea of writing this essay begun as an attempt to enter into the current discussion about the theory and ethics of sustainability. The essay aims to compare the meaning of sustainability with two ethical theories that are currently used in developmental and environmental issues, namely the theories of Martha Nussbaum and Peter Singer, and see how coherent these theories are with the concept of sustainability. In order to achieve the essays aims, the study will have to discuss first issues regarding the ‘meaning of sustainability’ and discuss the challenges in its conceptualisation to finally outline a reasonable framework meaning for sustainability. The paper contributes in this way in forming consistency between what the conceptualisation of sustainability represents and how ethical systems could be more coherent with these conceptualisation efforts. This essay aims to answer how deontological and utilitarian perspectives provide guidance regarding sustainability and if these perspectives are coherent with sustainability as a concept. The essay understands coherence as ideas or structures that are logically compatible and that logically support each other. This study concludes that there is a possibility to delineate a coherent meaning for sustainability as a two-level meaning structure; one formal meaning where we found the principle of sustainability and without which, we would not be talking about sustainability and a second level, called the substantive meaning, where four main ethical relations arise, and where obligations and responsibilities appear. The study also concludes that there are certainly fundamental moral ideals and moral ideas embedded in sustainability that have the potential to be agreed upon in a global consensus. The formal meaning of continuance (sustainability moral ideal) gives in turn some fundamental moral ideas (normative relations) at a second level of definition. Additionally, the study shows that it is not self-evident which ethical model is more or less coherent with sustainability but the results indicate that a strong, coherent and egalitarian idea about the value of life, whether as flourished and functional as opportunities and interests, on which many of today's ethical systems are based on, can help an ethical system to be more coherent with the meaning of sustainability.

C’est au tournant des années 1990 que Paul Ricœur s’est intéressé à Théorie de la justice de John Rawls. Tout en étant fondamentalement en accord avec la valeur morale, déontologique et politique des principes de justice de Rawls, Ricœur s’oppose à l’approche « purement procédurale » de la justice pour les institutions telle qu’elle se développe à l’aide de l’interprétation rawlsienne de la théorie du contrat social. Si l’approche déontologique de la justice comme équité priorise une conception formelle de la justice pour les institutions, elle ne peut toutefois pas, selon Ricœur, s’affranchir des fondements téléologiques qui justifient la formulation et le choix rationnel des principes rawlsiens. En reprenant l’argumentaire de Théorie de la justice, Ricœur relève la dépendance de la procédure formelle de Rawls à une série de présupposés éthiques fondamentaux qui justifient téléologiquement la rationalité des principes. Ces présuppositions ne mettent pas en ruine la position de Rawls, au contraire, ils relèvent d’une circularité « naturelle » propre à la problématique de la distribution des biens sociaux (justice distributive), indispensable à l’élaboration d’une conception politique de la justice et à l’intelligence démocratique du contrat social. Contre la démonstration empirique de la procédure formelle de la « position originelle » sous le « voile d’ignorance » à partir de laquelle devrait résulter le choix rationnel et unanime des principes de justice, Ricœur propose de rétablir la primauté du sens de la justice pour le sujet de droit/contractant. Sans réfuter la priorité déontologique des principes de justice pour les institutions, Ricœur veut rétablir la valeur éthique de la justice pour les individus à partir d’une herméneutique du soi et d’une anthropologie philosophique qui posent le besoin de l’institution au sein même de la constitution du sujet à « vivre une vie bonne, avec et pour autrui, dans des institutions justes ». / At the turn of the 1990s, Paul Ricœur became interested in John Rawls' Theory of Justice. While fundamentally agreeing with the moral, deontological, and political value of Rawls' principles of justice, Ricœur opposes the "purely procedural" approach to justice for institutions as developed through Rawls' interpretation of social contract theory. If the deontological approach to justice as equity prioritizes a formal conception of justice for institutions, it cannot, however, according to Ricœur, break free from the teleological foundations that justify the formulation and rational choice of Rawlsian principles. Returning to the argument of Theory of Justice, Ricœur identifies the dependence of Rawls' formal procedure based on a series of fundamental ethical presuppositions that teleologically justify the rationality of the principles. These presuppositions do not undermine Rawls' position; on the contrary, they are part of a "natural" circularity specific to the issue of the distribution of social goods (distributive justice), a process which is indispensable in the elaboration of a political conception of justice and in the democratic understanding of the social contract. Against the empirical demonstration of the formal procedure of the "original position" under the "veil of ignorance" from which the rational and unanimous choice of the principles of justice should result, Ricœur proposes to re-establish the primacy of the sense of justice for those subjected to law/contractors. Without refuting the deontological priority of principles of justice for institutions, Ricœur aspires to restore the ethical value of justice for individuals from a hermeneutic of the self and a philosophical anthropology that posits the need for the institution within the very constitution of the subject to "live a good life, with and for others, in just institutions”.

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