Abstract

The recognition of ethics as a social science demands the rejection of all theological and metaphysical dogmatic norms, associated with the traditional ethics. Modern humanistic ethics pre-supposes man's conviction to and active engagement in the progress of human society. It propounds ethical relativity, which justifies a person's right to prefer his norms of behaviour according to the specific conditions of his social life. It, however, does not imply a complete repudiation of morals. Free ethics is unacceptable, as moral valuation is impossible without a scientific approach.