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Copyright of Sozialer Fortschritt is the property of Duncker & Humblot GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article examines the possible role of a Christian deonto- logical ethics in the contemporary human rights debate. It concludes that a Christian deontological ethics in the Reformed tradition can be positively engaged in the human rights debate when Biblical theological topics are transposed into moral directives applicable to the current human rights concerns, such as religious extremism, femicide, ideologies of intolerance and ecocide. As an example of the applicability of a Christian deon- tological ethics from a reformed perspective, the following Bibli- cal topics are investigated: human dignity on the basis of the “imago dei”, creation and creational integrity, the kingdom of God and forgiveness. Furthermore, the article proposes that other concepts can be added to this list such as the Biblical idea of life, eschatology, covenant and holiness.

Copyright of Communicatio Socialis is the property of Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the Swiss version of IFLA 's Code of Ethics there is no mention about whistleblowing at all. This is where this article starts some considerations about methods of implementing stipulated guidelines (especially of ethical quality). In general, there are three methods which can be distinguished corresponding to three different types of ethics : firstly, focussing on prescribing procedures (procedural ethics such as discourse ethics or deontology), secondly, evaluating values and their collocation (virtue ethics), and thirdly, considering pros and cons by scenarios (utilitarianism). In praxis, these methodic guidelines should be amended by didactic methods in order to support adressees in adopting their Code of Ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing debate on the use of transgenic crops in agriculture and its possible ecological consequences is well into its third decade. Within this debate, three moral positions can be identified that rest upon different theories of normative ethics: a consequentialist, a deontological and a virtue ethical position. Although the debate cannot be fully resolved, a closer examination of the functions of the different moral positions is warranted in order to find constructive approaches for managing the controversy. Such an examination could contribute to a more objective debate on the use of transgenic crops. As a first step to achieve this goal the author develops criteria for ethical decision-making that integrate the different moral positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical response to the article “Relativismus und Menschenrechte” by Marie-Luisa Frick, published in this issue of the journal, is presented. The author addresses several issues, including the philosophy of human rights from the perspectives of cultural relativism and universalism, the question whether the ethics of human rights are justified teleologically or deontologically, and the utility of the works of philosophers Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche in the justification of human rights.