Philosophy is the attempt to answer particular questions using transparent and convincing argument. Fundamental philosophical questions are questions about our understanding of the world in general and our place in it. As a matter of principle, these questions can only be answered through controversy. The series Basic Topics in Philosophy aims to provide a space for the discussion of such fundamental philosophical questions. Instead of providing a comprehensive introductory presentation, each volume will take issue with selected historical positions in order to analyse the particular problem and discuss possible solutions. At the same time, the authors will set their own marks and take up positions, so that the result will not be merely a view of the history of philosophy, but also a systematic contribution to the problem under discussion. The volumes in the series are intended equally for students of philosophy and other subjects and for professional philosophers. In addition, the series is aimed at all those readers with an interest in fundamental questions of philosophy.

Philosophy is the attempt to answer particular questions using transparent and convincing argument. Fundamental philosophical questions are questions about our understanding of the world in general and our place in it. As a matter of principle, these questions can only be answered through controversy. The series Basic Topics in Philosophy aims to provide a space for the discussion of such fundamental philosophical questions. Instead of providing a comprehensive introductory presentation, each volume will take issue with selected historical positions in order to analyse the particular problem and discuss possible solutions. At the same time, the authors will set their own marks and take up positions, so that the result will not be merely a view of the history of philosophy, but also a systematic contribution to the problem under discussion. The volumes in the series are intended equally for students of philosophy and other subjects and for professional philosophers. In addition, the series is aimed at all those readers with an interest in fundamental questions of philosophy.

Darf ein Umweltethiker einen Offroader fahren? Muss eine Medizinethikerin, die sich für die Organspende ausspricht, einen Organspendeausweis haben? Ethikerinnen und Ethiker beantworten solche Fragen zuweilen mit einer Anekdote des Philosophen Max Scheler, der, angesprochen auf den Widerspruch zwischen seinen moralischen Maßstäben und seinem ausufernden Lebensstil, gesagt haben soll: »Geht denn der Wegweiser in die Richtung, in die er zeigt?« Der Band spürt dem Selbstverständnis von Menschen nach, die sich beruflich mit ethischen Problemen befassen oder die eine bestimmte moralische Position vertreten, und stellt die Frage, ob für sie besondere moralische Maßstäbe gelten, oder ob eine solche Forderung weltfremd oder sogar wissenschaftsfeindlich ist. Zu den Beiträgern zählt der Philosoph Gernot Böhme.