Applied Ethics and Technology

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Ethics and Value Theory strand of Philosophy. Its resources apply ethical theories to real questions. Most of them focus on medical ethics: abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide and the right to a child, including IVF. You will also find resources on genetic engineering, business ethics, global poverty, sanctions, war and the philosophy of technology.

The material comes from learners at different levels. Some resources are written for university courses. Others are clearly aimed at school exams, and some mention A-level Religious Studies, GCSE Religious Studies or A-level Philosophy.

Where to start

Begin with a mind map for an overview. The mind map called Intro to abortion sets out the debate and the pro-choice position. The mind map called Medical Ethics appears several times, with versions covering abortion, fertility treatment, euthanasia and animal research, often from a Christian or Roman Catholic point of view. Comparing versions shows you what different learners chose to include.

For a more philosophical angle, open the mind map Peter Singer: Morality, Affluence, and Famine. It looks at the claim that we have a strong obligation to sacrifice some of our own welfare to help others. The mind map Global Poverty and Duties of Justice makes a good companion.

Moving on to flashcards and notes

Once you know the outline, try the flashcard decks. The deck called Abortion — Applied Ethics asks about Mill's principle of liberty. The deck Applied Ethics: Abortion and Euthanasia covers Natural Law Legal Theory. Applied Ethics: War and Peace goes through the conditions of just war theory. There is also a deck on the philosophy of technology.

The notes are shorter. One applies utilitarianism to an abortion question, and others were created from mind maps.

Using quizzes and maps together

There is a small set of quizzes, with several on abortion and euthanasia, plus others on the right to a child, conscience and ethics exams. Read a mind map first, then take the matching quiz without looking. Wherever you get an answer wrong, go back to that branch of the map and add a note of your own. Repeat with a second map on the same topic to see a different view.

Your next step

Pick one topic, such as euthanasia or the right to a child, and open a map and a quiz side by side. Then make your own map or flashcards to fill any gaps you find.