The phrase alludes to a supplemental or alternative set of ethical principles, often employed when primary or established moral codes are deemed insufficient or inapplicable to a specific situation. It implies a moral framework beyond the initial two, suggesting a more nuanced or complex ethical consideration. For example, in a complex business negotiation where standard business ethics (the first morality) and personal values (the second morality) conflict, a professionally crafted code of conduct or industry best practice might be invoked as this supplementary ethical guide.
The significance of introducing this supplementary ethical guide lies in its ability to address scenarios where traditional moral frameworks fall short, offering a more tailored and context-sensitive approach to ethical decision-making. Its historical context can be traced to the development of professional ethics codes, bioethics, and other specialized ethical domains, which emerged in response to novel challenges arising from technological advancements, social changes, and complex organizational structures. Benefits include improved decision-making in ethically ambiguous situations, enhanced stakeholder trust, and mitigation of potential reputational damage.
