"Let's begin with a brief introduction to the topic we are currently dealing with. This topic holds significant importance, especially for philosophy students who have chosen it as their subject of study or research. It is also relevant for those in the early stages of learning, as it can provide valuable insights. We're referring to a branch of philosophy known as Applied Ethics.
This term encompasses a wide range of issues that arise from moral confusion and ethical dilemmas in practical contexts relevant to human life. Applied Ethics takes ethical principles and theories, often found in narrative ethics, and applies them to real-world situations. Now that we've had a brief overview of the topic, have you ever wondered why it's crucial to discuss? What sets it apart as a distinct branch of philosophy? Let's explore these questions further to gain a deeper understanding." Most importantly, and as of now, the most pressing question among all of us is, "What is applied ethics?"
Applied ethics is a branch of philosophy with which we are all familiar. It primarily deals with ethical issues and the confusion that arises in specific contexts relevant to human life. We have already explored some practical significances of applied ethics, including bioethics, which focuses on ethical issues related to medicine, especially in the healthcare sector. Another practical area is environmental ethics, addressing ethical concerns related to the environment. Business ethics, as the name suggests, deals with issues related to business practices, while professional ethics covers ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in various professions.
Additionally, there's ethics in technology, which delves into the ethical implications arising from technology and its impact on society. Ethics in politics and government examines the ethical behavior of political leaders, encompassing issues like political correctness, human rights, and the ethics of war. Lastly, ethics in sports deals with issues specific to sports, including fair play and the responsibilities of athletes, coaches, and organizations.
In addition to this, we need to consider real-world examples present in our environment when illustrating the various applications of applied ethics within its subfields.
- One such subfield is bioethics, and a term often associated with it is 'euthanasia.' This term implies a debate over whether individuals suffering from terminal illnesses should have the right to choose state-assisted suicide.
- In the second section, we have a sub-topic called Business Ethics. It's important to discuss how this relates to CSR, which stands for Corporate Social Responsibility. This concept implies that every company, including multinational corporations known for their commitment to social and environmental causes, often faces questions and issues regarding the ethical responsibilities of businesses.
- Apparently, the third subtopic is Environmental Ethics, and the environmental examples are going to be reflected by the term climate change. This already gives an idea that ethical implications of climate change always arise in questions about responsibility, justice, and the impact on vulnerable communities.
- In the fourth, as we already discussed, the sub-topic that can be elaborated upon is Medical Ethics. So, we have a case representing Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who assisted terminally ill patients in ending their lives, sparking debates about the ethical boundaries of medical practices.
- We have a sub-topic called 'Ethics in Technology,' and it's widely known that there are issues with the privacy of our data. We are also aware of scammers who use fake data from renowned individuals. These scammers pretend to represent a particular company or person, making phone calls to collect data, which is a clear violation of our data ethics.
- Another sub-topic that has a significant impact on governance and politics is also an ethics. A real-life example that encapsulates this is 'whistleblowing.' We have all heard of cases where individuals leak classified information from higher posts, raising questions about both the ethics of governance and whistleblowing.
- We have several remaining topics to discuss, including Ethics in Education, Criminal Justice Ethics, Media Ethics, and Ethics in Sports.
- Ethics in Education focuses on academic cheating, a prevalent issue during examinations where many individuals resort to copying papers or someone else's ideas, which constitutes academic dishonesty and promotes plagiarism. It is the ethical responsibility of both students and educators to address this.
- Moving on to Criminal Justice Ethics, it involves debates around the death penalty. There have been cases where individuals have been executed by hanging for their crimes, sparking ethical discussions on whether this form of punishment constitutes cruel and unusual treatment.
- In the realm of Media Ethics, the focus is on journalistic integrity. We frequently encounter fabricated news stories and biased reporting, underscoring the importance of maintaining ethical standards and objectivity in journalism.
- Finally, Ethics in Sports pertains to doping scandals, such as the one involving Lance Armstrong's use of performance-enhancing drugs. These scandals raise ethical questions about fair competition in sports.
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