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Berlin is facing a landmark election: So far, there are ethics as a compulsory subject, along with religion as freely selectable range (Chapeaux for it!). An Initiative " Pro Reli "wants to change that, it goes after her, in future to have ethics or religion in the curriculum.
Reigns, hardly has a state once introduced something that makes sense * because it is shaken again. I chew it now does not contradict anything here, but refer to the sources provided with numerous items of eight . There is also a lively discussion has shown in the comment section, where I was not entirely disinterested. But the interest in such a decision, "We are all Berliners are no" is clearly transnational.

But what is really ethical?

The term comes from ancient Greek: "the moral (understanding)", "usual seat, habit, custom, tradition, character, disposition," [source: wiki].
Ethics is the philosophical field. Mainly it's about morality. But no, when a football coach once again emphasizes the team has shown morale, then it must not come at the same time ehtisch properly so. And yet there is a parallel to the football: Ethics takes place on the field: The practical application of philosophy in the form of legal, political, social philosophy - how we act? What are the consequences of our actions? (The theorists of classical philosophy, however, deal with the meta-level is the level behind it, a kind look behind the scenes. Knowledge, logic, metaphysics)

Several years ago I was involved in a study by the University of Hamburg, Department of Health . According to the empirical data collection and analysis of our group was invited to Berlin ("Berlin, Berlin, we're going to Berlin" - no, these parallels!) To the Enquete ** Commission on "Ethics and Law in Modern Medicine" of the German Bundestag our results are to present and answer questions. Why here is mentioned, you might be wondering. Well, as you can see the name of the Commission on, legal and ethical issues are closely related. Ideally, the decision of a law is not possible without consideration of ethical principles. The Parliament as a legislature must, therefore, also with such issues grapple . deal

Ethics is human behavior to the test, examines how traditions, customs and manners of a normative judgment stand, and how the insights gained, practical (ie on the pitch) can be implemented. Reason led to a *** to values ​​and norms established to enable coexistence in a society. What is good and bad? What are the consequences of what I'm doing? Such a thing requires reflection of the action. Thus, it is not surprising that in addition to individual, peace and social ethics and an environmental ethic. (George W. Bush had the jovilalen with a "No way, you are wastin 'my time' dismissed as outrageous nonsense, I would be surprised seriously when the word" ethics "to know at all would - I just remind you of waterboarding , Guantanamo and attempting born in the national parks of Alaska for oil to try.)

Ethics is not a jack of all trades. You can give food for thought, create the basis for further consideration to offer assistance for complex interrelationships, and principles - but the implementation must take place in each specific case. (. The expert also referred to as deductive approach), but in ethics teaching can also be taken of the inductive way: Starting from a specific problem, you can try to derive general performance suggestions. (This holds, however, possible sources of error, but that's another story.)

The better prepared and trained someone is, the better the judgment when it comes to general (ethical) principles to changing and new situations and apply to come to a possible action. In order to respond accordingly, both the judgment and the general ethical background to be trained.

All this is achieved without taking into account the different denominations. Muslims and Jews, Christians and atheists alike can benefit from ethics. So there some kind of jack of all trades, this ethic? At least, rather than religion. Not everything in the Scriptures, must necessarily be traceable via reason and reflection. Finally, in the name of religion can be quite excellent fight wars. Ethically considered, war is less than the last resort. Interest to resolve conflicts in a different way is, in any case, the better, because more rational and less prone to collateral damage path.

But, dear Berliners will decide, but the way you consider it appropriate. Somehow I'm building but to the multicultural melting pot of Berlin. Humanistic thinking, then it will just happen. And to even get back to football: the Hertha has now completed the series of negative and defeated Werder Bremen 2-1. If it is then in the end 2-1 is the ethics ...

I know I'm not a Berliner. (Although I was tempted several times to become one, Hamburg has always scored in the decisive moments.)

Oh, one more thing: Actually, we could close the ethics altogether. Each student receives in return a leaf in the hand on which the Categorical Imperative of Immanuel Kant is written:

"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time that it should become a universal law."

Thanks, that's it, the ethics class is closed. The most important guideline you have now. Good luck in solving complex problems! And now for something completely different: religion. Does anyone have questions?
"Why does God allow war to be?"
"Why is the use of condoms as protection against disease and unwanted pregnancies in the Catholic Church is categorically rejected?"
"If God is love, then why was the Spanish Inquisition?"
"If God is love, then why does he constantly punishes the unbelievers?"
"In the ten commandments is: Thou shalt not kill. Why, there was the forced Christianization in South America? Why the Crusades? "

What do you think? Have we ever get back in religious instruction proper answers to such questions, let alone discussed it seriously?

And finally, almost every religious group has a missionary urge. In the sacred writings, as well as ever they may be called, which is credited and demands. (I have since times long ago in the comments of a forum read: "The Christian missionaries are even sent into the world Everybody wants to be nu times." And further increase ".": "It is like bringing in a new Otto Versand customers and you get the towel. ")
Religions impose universal and absolute claims. The juxtaposition seems so de facto not possible. Ethics is something like the common pillar for an interaction. That does not make confessions. Since it is rather to the expression of parallel societies. Roller has an opened source from which I quote at this point like , because it is better (than last word) can not be formulated:

If society fails to lay a foundation of shared values, a tolerant coexistence is threatened.

* In fact, it does not make any sense at all, that in German "makes little sense." Something has a purpose, or for all I care, it is one, but it makes no sense that something makes sense. Makes sense, right?
Enquête **: It is not difficult to recognize from the French investigation. About Fractional (in simple terms: non-partisan) investigation working group that is trying to develop a consensus for long-term problems and issues, which is acceptable to the largest possible proportion of the population.
Was *** Back when I was young and innocent and full of hope, and charity, was the subject "values ​​and norms". The contents were similar, ethically, morally and philosophically, and so, but the lessons were tagged differently.

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