[A structural approach to discourse ethics].

Abstract

Discourse ethics continues the Kantian tradition of ethical universalism. The communicative discourse rationality is its philosophical paradigm. Part A formulates the normative principle of equal coresponsibility of all members within the argumentation community. When we are seriously arguing, we have not only acknowledged our membership in the real communication community, but as well the moral duty to approach the conditions of the ideal communication community step by step. In our daily life, the ideal norms of discourse ethics cannot be realized totally. Therefore, part B analyses all these restrictions and aspects of individual and global responsibilities. With these two levels, structure of part A and B, the discourse ethics combines abstract deontic ethics of principles with history-oriented ethics of responsibility.