Abstract

The article presents an overview of modern objectivistic and subjectivistic moral theories. Emotivism, ethical naturalism and moral cognitivism led to relativism, to the opposition of value and truth, and to ethical norms being defined by the opinion of the majority. Therefore, these theories cannot be used as the basis for an effective and consistent solution of moral and practical issues. To overcome the above negative consequences using the discourse ethics of J. Habermas is suggested. Regarding ethics as communicative acts based on performative attitudes and universalization principle leads to the similarity of theory and method. This approach allows us to use the discourse ethics of J. Habermas as a tool of applied and professional ethics.