Abstract: The two Chinese characters Dao (道) and Li (理) make the relations between the three different basic categories of principle (in Chinese, 道理, Daoli ),morals (道德, Daode) and ethics (伦理, Lunli) subtle and thought-provoking.Dao (道) and Li (理),put together,constitute the word Daoli,i.e "principle". Principle (道理) and morals (道德) share the character of Dao (道) while principle and ethics (伦理) share the character of Li (理). Morals and ethics each has its element from Principle,so the two categories are homogeneous and develop their own unique connotation and become two most fundamental and important categories in ethics.

Key words: principle, ethics, morals, connotation

摘要： “道”、“理”二字使道理、道德和伦理三个不同的基本范畴的关系变得耐人寻味,“道”与“理”合一相成即“道理”,道理和道德以“道”为“同源”,道理和伦理以“理”为“同源”,道德和伦理分有“道理”的“养分”,二者“同源共生异长”,长成各自独特的内涵,成为伦理学中两个最基本、最重要的范畴。

关键词: 道理, 伦理, 道德, 内涵