CAN ETHICS BE TAUGHT

The introduction of a substitute, alternative, or required elective co urse in ethics in the schools of most of the German Laender proceeds f rom the assumption that ethics can be taught. Ethics is conceived of i n a wide sense, but primarily as a school subject meant to enable stud ents to act and judge morally. In this study, which is based on a lect ure read at a conference of experts held at the University of Dresden in November 1994, the author - from a sceptical, transcendental-critic al point of view - discusses the question whether the expectations con nected with this course are well-founded and which uncleared assumptio ns have been made and have led to the conclusion that ethics can be ta ught. It seems impossible to give a definitely positive answer to the question whether ethics are teachable.