Unit 1: Applied Ethics
Table of Contents
Introduction to Applied Ethics
What is Ethics? The Three Main Branches
Before understanding Applied Ethics, it's helpful to see where it fits. Ethics, or Moral Philosophy, is broadly divided into three main areas:
| Branch | Guiding Question | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Meta-Ethics | "What *is* goodness?" | This is the most abstract branch. It doesn't ask what is right or wrong, but asks about the *nature* of morality itself. (e.g., Are moral truths objective? What do the words "good" and "bad" mean?) |
| 2. Normative Ethics | "What *should* I do?" | This branch creates general theories and principles to guide moral action. (e.g., Utilitarianism: "Do whatever creates the most happiness." Deontology: "Follow your moral duties.") |
| 3. Applied Ethics | "How do I apply ethics to *this* situation?" | This is the most practical branch. It takes the theories from Normative Ethics and applies them to specific, concrete, and often controversial real-world problems. |