The Phenomenon of Universality in Ethics. Roundtable Discussion.

Abstract

In a paper presented by Ruben Apressyan and the following discussion the phenomenon of universality is discriminated in its various forms – as a characteristics of the most general normative content of morality contradistinguished to particular circumstances and situations, as a peculiar feature of values addressed in by corresponding requirements to everyone, and as a peculiar attribute of judgments to be universalizable, i.e. to be applied to every relevantly identical situation. In different contests and interpretations universality may be associated with absoluteness, objectivity, impartiality, or even uniformity. The disputants are strived for higher terminological accuracy in the discourse of universality and for more precise configuration of concepts used to reflect the scope of relevant meanings. To further the discussion on universality one needs adequately conceptualized understanding of the subject, in the context of certain conception of morality; otherwise the concept of universality would be doomed to nebulosity. Morality is heterogeneous in its different manifestations and universality is like it: in different spheres of morality it appears in different forms. Diverse connotations of universality in different conceptions reflect actual heterogeneity of the very phenomenon of universality. The roundtable is expected to promote up to date rethinking of the problematique of universality and its advanced introduction in Ethics scholarship and education.