哲学动态

应用伦理既有其逻辑进程，又有其历史使命。应用伦理的逻辑进程体现为三个环节即自在应用伦理、自为应用伦理、自由应用伦理。应用伦理的历史使命是把自由精神落实到学科建设和社会实践中。如果说学科建设重在培养个体自由，那么社会实践则致力于个体自由为基础的整体自由。其实，应用伦理就是自由精神通过个体自由而实现的整体自由。质言之，应用伦理是行走在生活世界中的自由精神的实践力量。

With the establishment of the professional master's degree in applied ethics, the field has become a popular topic in both academic and professional circles. Two conflicting viewpoints have emerged.(1) The theoretical school, which equates applied ethics with applied ethical theory and rejects empirical approaches.(2) The empirical school, which focuses on applied ethics solely with practical experience and dismisses ethical theory. Both perspectives capture one of the two foundations of applied ethics, either theory or experience, thus contributing valuable insights and reflection to the discipline.Nevertheless, a significant tension persists between them. Their fundamental conflict stems from a failure to fully grasp the inherent logical progression and historical mission of applied ethics.Consequently, there is a clear need to better understand its logical development and better articulate its historical mission. Ultimately, applied ethics is defined by both its internal logical structure and the external obligations it must fulfill.First, the logical progression of applied ethics unfolds through three distinct stages: spontaneous applied ethics, self-aware applied ethics, and free applied ethics.(1) Spontaneous applied ethics corresponds to empirical applied ethics, referring to the unconscious application of experiential norms—actions and regulations followed in daily life without conscious thought, such as airport boarding and security procedures required for air travel, or workplace rules.(2) Self-aware applied ethics represents theoretical applied ethics. While empirical applied ethics embodies multiplicity and particularity, selfaware applied ethics signifies unity and universality. It entails the conscious, theoretical examination of diverse ethical practices.(3) Free applied ethics integrates both empirical methods, including their outcomes and impacts, and a rational commitment to ethical theory. It involves discussing, analyzing,understanding, judging, choosing, and deciding on courses of action for practical ethical issues,implementing them effectively. Thus, applied ethics constitutes a concrete ethical practice that integrates multiplicity with unity, and particularity and universality. This integration requires applied ethics to consciously embrace its historical mission within ethical practice.Second, the historical mission of applied ethics is to embody the spirit of freedom within both disciplinary development and social practice. Therefore, upholding the spirit of freedom, advancing the disciple, and strengthening social practice are its three core missions. If disciplinary development emphasizes the cultivation of individual freedom, then social practice aims for collective freedom based in individual autonomy. In other words, applied ethics serves as a moral tribunal for solving real-world ethical dilemmas through recognition, respect, negotiation, reflection, criticism, and action. It supplies ethical justification and practical foundations for relevant legislation, while also providing practical solutions and moral strength for resolving social and ethical problems and improving moral standards. In essence, applied ethics is the realization of overall freedom achieved through individual agency—a manifestation of the spirit of freedom operating within the lifeworld.