底线伦理·共同信念·终极关怀——论当代社会的道德结构

Base Line Ethics, Common Faith and Ultimate Care——On the Moral Structure of Contemporary Society

当代开放、平等、多元社会的道德结构应当包括底线伦理、共同信念和终极关怀三个基本要素。其中,得到普遍承认的底线伦理处于基础地位,经过民主商谈达成的共同信念处于中心地位,源远流长、开放常新的各种终极关怀则处于反思地位。正是它们之间的积极互动形成了当代社会的合理道德结构。为确立这三种要素之间的合理关系,社会成员在普遍遵守底线伦理的基础上,应该努力在社会的共同信念上形成尽可能广泛的一致,并同时积极促使各自终极关怀之间的相互激荡,以实现终极关怀对底线伦理的深层支撑和对共同信念的超越反思。

In the moral structure of contemporary society which is open, equal and diversified, there are three basal elements, that is, the base line of ethics, common faith, and ultimate care. Among which, the base line of ethics is generally recognized and occupies the basal position; the common faith which is reached among people through democratic dialogue is at the core; all kinds of ultimate cares which has a long tradition and is always open and new, occupies the reflective position. It is their mutual and positive reaction that forms the reasonable moral structure of contempoary society. In order to establish the reasonable relationship among them, the members of one society should endeavor to reach the general agreement on social common faith, which is based on their obeying of the base line of ethics, meanwhile they should promote the mutual reaction between all kinds of ultimate cares positively, by which we can realize its support to the base line of ethics and its transcending reflection of the common faith.