GC: n
S: ICRC – https://international-review.icrc.org/articles/book-review-humanitarian-ethics-guide-morality-aid-war-and-disaster (last access: 8 May 2024); CoordS – https://www.coordinationsud.org/wp-content/uploads/1100._chapter_1_en_-_humanitarian_ethics.pdf (last access: 8 May 2024).
N: 1. – humanitarian (adj): As a noun, 1794 in the theological sense “one who affirms the humanity of Christ but denies his pre-existence and divinity,” from human (adj.) + suffix from unitarian, etc. By 1834 as “one who professes the creed that a person’s highest duty is to advance the welfare of the human race,” but the closely allied sense “philanthropist, one who advocates or practices human action to solve social problems” (1842), originally was disparaging, with a suggestion of excess. Compare humanism.
As an adjective by 1834 in the theological sense “affirming the humanity or human nature of Christ;” by 1855 as “having regard for the broad interests of humanity.”
– ethics (n): “the science of morals,” c. 1600, plural of Middle English ethik “study of morals” (see ethic). The word also traces to Ta Ethika, title of Aristotle’s work. Related: Ethicist.
2. Why talk about ethics when we talk about humanitarian aid?
Humanitarian action is based on strong values, including that of ‘humanity’, from which its name is derived. Philosophy has often linked ethics and humanity, with ethics expressing itself as assumed subjectivity that recognises, in the single individual, all of humanity. Humanity thereby emerges as the invincible link that unites all human beings: a feeling that pushes each person to acknowledge the other as his or her equal and fellow human being.
3. Ethics and morality: From individual conscience to institutional position, how can ethics be integrated into the organisation?
The unique dimension of ethics does not mean that no collective ethics can exist. Ethical principles are also collective references. The two dimensions were already described as complementary by Aristotle.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=humanitarian+ethics (last access: 8 May 2024). 2 & 3. CoordS – https://www.coordinationsud.org/wp-content/uploads/1100._chapter_1_en_-_humanitarian_ethics.pdf (last access: 8 May 2024).
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