Applied Ethics

Start with a question

Applied Ethics is a section of the Normative Ethical Theories unit in Philosophy. The resources here look at ethical questions through topics such as lying, euthanasia, contraception, abortion and war. They include mind maps, flashcards, notes, slides and a quiz, so you can choose a format that suits what you want to study.

For a starting point, open the Lying mind map. It connects lying with Natural Moral Law, primary and secondary precepts, and a biblical commandment. Follow the branches to see how the resource applies those ideas to its topic.

Compare approaches

Next, try the Euthanasia mind map. It lists Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Natural Law and Situation Ethics. It also refers to Bentham's Hedonic Calculus as a way to weigh the pleasure and pain associated with courses of action.

The Contraception & Unprotected Sex mind map brings together several approaches, including Virtue Ethics, Natural Law and Utilitarianism. Compare its branches with those in the euthanasia map to see how the resources apply ethical ideas to different questions.

Use the quiz and maps together

After exploring a map, take the quiz on the page. Notice what each question asks and where you want to look again. You can then return to a relevant map and trace its connections, or use the listed flashcards for another way to study.

Continue through the unit

These resources give you ways to explore Applied Ethics within Normative Ethical Theories. The Abortion mind map, for example, lists terms and approaches, while the Just War mind map raises questions about armed conflict. Choose a topic, then explore its map alongside the other resources on the page.