Overview

Theory is nice, but what do we do? Applied ethics takes the tools of philosophy (Utilitarianism, Deontology) and uses them to solve real problems like climate change, abortion, and war.

Core Idea

Reflective Equilibrium: Going back and forth between our principles and our intuitions about specific cases until they match.

Formal Definition (if applicable)

Just War Theory: A set of criteria for when war is morally justifiable (Jus ad bellum) and how it must be fought (Jus in bello).

Intuition

  • Business Ethics: Is it okay to bluff in negotiations? Is profit the only goal?
  • Environmental Ethics: Do we have duties to future generations? To trees?
  • Animal Ethics: Is eating meat wrong?

Examples

  • The Trolley Problem: A classic thought experiment used to test intuitions.
  • Whistleblowing: When is it right to betray your employer to protect the public?
  • Affirmative Action: Is reverse discrimination justified to correct past wrongs?

Common Misconceptions

  • “It’s just opinion.” (Applied ethics uses rigorous logic and evidence.)
  • “Legal = Moral.” (Slavery was legal. The Holocaust was legal. Ethics judges the law.)
  • Professional Ethics: Codes of conduct for lawyers, engineers, journalists.
  • Casuistry: Reasoning from case to case (precedent).
  • Moral Status: Who counts? (Humans? Animals? AI?).

Applications

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Companies trying to do good.
  • Policy Making: Drafting laws on self-driving cars.
  • Daily Life: Being a vegetarian, recycling, donating to charity.

Criticism / Limitations

Experts often disagree. There is rarely a single “right answer,” but there are better and worse arguments.

Further Reading

  • Singer, Practical Ethics
  • Sandel, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?