Discourse Ethics

Abstract

Discourse ethics (DE) articulates a perspective on morality based on communicative rationality. It holds it to be possible to justify universal moral norms on the basis of rational argumentation in practical discourse, if and only if a set of formal criteria are met. A central criterion is that a norm is accepted by all participants in discourse without any form of coercion. In bioethics, above all, its focus on inclusion, participation and democracy is appreciated, as well as the fact that it allows for truthfinding in pluralistic settings. The fact that DE is idealistic with regard to the possibility to attain impartial and universal norms on the basis of an “ideal speech situation” is both seen as a strength, as it is argued to set an inspiring standard for present-day bioethical enquiry, and as a weakness, because its high-demanding criteria are untenable in practice. Other aspects that are mentioned as weak points of DE are its proceduralism, its cognitivism, its universalism, and the fact that concrete guidelines for deliberation are not provided. Nevertheless, DE is relevant for bioethics, as it focuses on the intersubjective nature of moral understanding and provides a standard for organizing practices of moral reasoning in a democratic way.