Abstract

MALUSCHKE, Günther. Validity of moral norms: perspectives of philosophy and psychoanalysis. Interam. j. psychol. [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.2, pp. 205-214. ISSN 0034-9690.

In classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages religion was the principal source of ethical norms, and moral life was considered to be a submission to a pre-established cosmological order. In modern times a radical change in ethics can be detected, due to a new concept of human subjectivity, and leading to relativistic views in ethics as well as the loss of absolutely certain moral orientation. Moral norms are considered to be human inventions differing from civilization to civilization, an insight which is gaining acceptance especially in Anglo-Saxon philosophy. For Freud as well, moral values are cultural products, and on this matter his thought resembles the empirical approach in moral philosophy. According to Freud, moral principles and conscience are the result of the sense of guilt and of instinctual renunciation thereby imposed. Whereas in Freud's psychoanalytical approach the diagnosis of the discomfort caused by culture and ethics prevails, philosophical ethical analysis is much more interested in the positive effects of morals in society.

Keywords : Ethics; Social norms; Morality; Psychoanalysis.

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