CHAPTER ONE:- INTRODUCTION
Definition and Scope of Applied Ethics
Philosophers who study applied ethics look to the world around them and analyze the ethical
problems they find. By doing so, the applied ethicist is able to use philosophy as a tool to
address important moral issues in various practical disciplines.
Ethics is a special branch of Philosophy. Ethics is related to the Greek word ‘Ethos’, which
means custom, habit. The main task of Ethics is to give an account of the ways in which human
beings ought to act. So, Ethics can be called the science of character, habits of activity or conduct
of human beings. Ethics is a moral Philosophy or Philosophical study about morality, moral
problems and moral judgments. Therefore, we can say that as a science of character, ethics
systematizes, defends and recommends concepts of right and wrong behavior.
AREAS OF ETHICS
The field of ethics is commonly divided into three parts:-
Meta Ethics
Normative Ethics and
Applied Ethics
Normative Ethics
Normative Ethics is the study of how to determine ethical values. Normative ethics tries to arrive
at a moral standard that regulate right and wrong conduct. Normative ethics always deals with
some norms and tries to present the norms according to which they evaluate our actions. It tries
to give a theory about the appropriate ethical norms and seeks to influence our actions. The key
assumption of normative ethics is that there is only one ultimate criterion of moral conduct, and
it may be a single rule or set of principles.
Meta Ethics
Meta Ethics is a subject concerned with the study of the foundation of ethics. It investigates the
sources from where the principles of ethics come and what they mean. Meta Ethics is a kind of
philosophical enquiry or theory, which is also called Analytical Ethics. Meta Ethics is distinct
from Normative Ethics. The term Meta Ethics was first introduced by logical positivists. Meta-
Ethics is concerned primarily with clarification and understanding of the moral concepts. The
term Meta Ethics implies that we are not taking part in the practice of ethics itself. But Meta
Ethics reflects on that practice. It is not concerned with providing any ethical norms. In Meta
Ethics various ethically significant terms are analyzed. One of the most popular ethical terms
taken up for analysis is ‘good’. The problem of universalizability of moral language is also
included within the scope of meta ethics. The Question of whether and in what sense morality is
subjective or objective, relative or absolute is all included under the heading of Meta- Ethics.
Applied Ethics
Applied Ethics is a discipline of philosophy that attempts to apply ethical theory to real life
situation. Applied Ethics is the study of the use of ethical values. Applied ethics tries to resolve
the controversial and moral issues such as animal rights, environmental concerns, Medical
ethics, Media ethics, Bioethics etc.
The word ‘Applied’ means ‘to put into practice’. Applied ethics is an area of ethics. It is a
discipline of philosophy, which means philosophy of action. It is the method used to identify
morally correct course of action in our life. These ethical principles are applied to solve moral
problems in practical life. Thus, applied ethics denotes the application of principles of ethics in
our day to day life.
There are various fields of Applied Ethics.
Some of these are given below:-
Animal Ethics
Bioethics.
Business Ethics.
Computer Ethics.
Educational Ethics.
Environmental Ethics.
Legal Ethics.
Media Ethics/Journalism
Medical Ethics
Animal Ethics:- The main concept of Animal Ethics is that non-human animals should
be treated with the same consideration and similar interest as human beings. Animals are
used in laboratory for dissection, in biomedical research. It is the duty of every human
being to show kindness towards the animals.
Bioethics: - literally means “life ethics”. It is a very broad term and a very broad field of
study. Bioethics is a discipline with ethical issues raised by new developments in the field
of medicine and biological science. Bioethics makes us seek after what is good and right
and what is pleasant life. This makes life lovable and pleasant to live with people and in
harmony with the environment. This is total Bioethics. Bioethics education stresses on
improving the quality of human life. Some important issues of Bioethics are Abortion,
Euthanasia, Surrogate mother, Cloning, Biotechnology, Birth Control technology,
Disability rights, Genetic research, and Mental health etc.
Business Ethics:- Business Ethics examines the moral controversies relating to the social
and moral responsibilities in business practices. Business ethics analyses the problems
and dilemmas created by business practices. Business ethics focuses its attention mainly
on the question of policy. All problems arising in business sector should be managed with
appropriate attention to ethical concern.
Computer Ethics:- The field of computer is very broad. In this field computing
professionals have to face certain situations where they will have to make ethical
decisions. As a field of Applied Ethics computer ethics helps the computing professionals
to make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.
Educational Ethics:-The major aim of education should be to harmonize people, to
enlighten both mind and hearts of individuals on right living. Educational ethics helps to
identify moral dilemma in the field of education and offers alternative solution.
Environmental Ethics:- Environmental ethics studies the moral relationship of human
being to the environment. The main objective of Environmental ethics is the conservation
of life on earth. Environmental ethics is a new area of philosophy and it emerged as an
academic discipline only in 1970. The protection of the natural environment is the
practical and moral concern for mankind. The main purpose of Environmental ethics is
based on promoting this view. Nature has provided climate, water, soil, air, place etc. in
our lives. In today’s world we face a range of environmental problems, such as global
warming, deforestation, reduction in biodiversity etc. So, it is our duty to preserve our
environment. This is the main aim of Environmental ethics.
Legal Ethics:- Legal ethics provides an ethical code that governs the conduct of persons
engaged in the practice of law and in legal sector. Legal ethics deals with the study and
application of what is right and wrong, good and bad in the practice of law. Legal ethics
assists the law profession and provides practical rules, regulations and guidelines that will
protect both the public and the lawyer.
Media Ethics/Journalism:- Media ethics analyses and examines specific ethical
principles in the field of broadcast, media (the main means of mass communication,
especially television, radio and newspaper) films, theatre, journalism etc. Media persons
and journalists have to face different challenges.
Ethics of Media and Journalism comprises the principles of ethical and good practices which
help the media persons and journalists to solve different problems faced by them.
Medical Ethics:- Medical Ethics is as old as Hippocratic oath. The Hippocratic Oath
dates back to 460 BC where the Greek physician emphasized the moral ethical values and
respect for the human person. Medical Ethics is one of the important areas of Applied
Ethics. It is mainly concerned with the application of general principles to moral
problems of medical profession. Medical Ethics analyses the way how moral decisions
are made in the field of medicine. In medical profession knowledge is directed to
alleviating human suffering, elevate human well-being and prolong human life. Medical
ethics deals with such issues and helps the physicians and other health professionals to
solve the ethical dilemmas, which arise from the changed scenario of health care and
increasing decline of moral values associated with medical fraternity and healthcare
delivery.
Significance of Applied Ethics
Applied ethics is used to solve various problems in personal and professional lives. It defines,
organizes and explains ethical issues which have their application in daily life. Thus, Applied
ethics attempts to study the application of ethics to real life situation.
