IGNOU FREE BPYG-171 Applied Ethics Solved Guess Paper 2025

Q1. Explain the meaning, nature, and scope of Applied Ethics.

Applied Ethics is a branch of ethics that deals with the practical application of moral principles to real-life issues and problems. While traditional ethics focuses on theoretical questions such as “What is good?”, “What is right?”, and “What is moral duty?”, Applied Ethics examines how these moral principles should guide human conduct in specific social, professional, technological, medical, environmental, and political situations. It bridges the gap between moral theory and practical decision-making.

The meaning of Applied Ethics lies in evaluating human actions in concrete contexts such as medical treatment, business practices, environmental protection, media responsibility, scientific research, gender justice, human rights, and governance. It seeks to answer questions like: Is abortion morally justified? Is capital punishment ethical? Are corporate profits more important than workers’ rights? How far can genetic engineering go without violating human dignity?

The nature of Applied Ethics is interdisciplinary, practical, and problem-oriented. It is interdisciplinary because it draws from philosophy, law, medicine, economics, sociology, political science, and science. It is practical because it deals with real-life moral dilemmas rather than abstract speculation. It is also normative because it sets moral standards for behavior and evaluates actions on the basis of right and wrong, justice and injustice, harm and benefit.

Applied Ethics is also dynamic in nature. Moral problems change with time due to scientific and technological progress. For example, issues such as cloning, artificial intelligence, cyber crime, bio-medical research, and environmental pollution were not major ethical concerns in earlier centuries but are central today. Thus, Applied Ethics evolves with society.

The scope of Applied Ethics is very wide. It includes:

• Bioethics – ethical issues in medicine and healthcare such as abortion, euthanasia, organ transplantation, and genetic engineering.

• Business Ethics – corporate responsibility, fair wages, consumer rights, environmental protection, and corporate governance.

• Environmental Ethics – human responsibility towards nature, wildlife conservation, climate change, and sustainable development.

• Media and Communication Ethics – truth, privacy, sensationalism, and social responsibility.

• Political and Legal Ethics – justice, rights, corruption, governance, and public accountability.

• Professional Ethics – ethical duties of doctors, teachers, lawyers, administrators, engineers, and journalists.

In conclusion, Applied Ethics is the practical dimension of moral philosophy. It helps individuals, professionals, institutions, and societies to make responsible moral choices in real-life situations. In a world of rapid technological change, globalization, and moral uncertainty, Applied Ethics provides a necessary moral compass for human conduct.

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Q2. Discuss the relationship between Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics.

Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics are closely related branches of ethical inquiry. Moral Philosophy, also known as theoretical or normative ethics, deals with the fundamental principles of morality. It asks abstract questions such as “What is good?”, “What is virtue?”, “What is moral duty?”, and “What is the ultimate foundation of moral judgment?” Applied Ethics, on the other hand, takes these moral principles and applies them to concrete human problems and practical situations.

The relationship between Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics is that of theory and practice. Moral Philosophy provides the theoretical framework, while Applied Ethics uses that framework to evaluate real-life actions and social practices. For example, theories such as Utilitarianism, Deontology (Kantian ethics), and Virtue Ethics guide decision-making in Applied Ethics. Utilitarianism emphasizes the greatest happiness of the greatest number, Deontology stresses duty and moral rules, and Virtue Ethics focuses on character and moral excellence. These theories are used to analyze issues like abortion, punishment, business practices, and environmental responsibility.

Moral Philosophy establishes moral standards, while Applied Ethics tests these standards in real life. For instance, the moral principle of “respect for persons” becomes the basis for patient rights in medical ethics and human rights in political ethics. The principle of “non-maleficence” (do no harm) guides both medical practice and environmental policy.

At the same time, the relationship is two-way. Applied Ethics also influences Moral Philosophy by raising new questions and challenges. For example, developments in biotechnology such as cloning, genetic editing, and artificial intelligence force philosophers to rethink traditional ideas of personhood, identity, responsibility, and moral agency. Thus, real-life problems shape philosophical reflection.

Another important aspect of this relationship is that Moral Philosophy seeks universality, while Applied Ethics often deals with cultural, social, and practical complexity. Moral theories aim to establish general moral rules, but Applied Ethics must consider legal frameworks, social conditions, professional codes, and practical consequences.

In modern societies, ethical decision-making cannot remain purely theoretical. Medical professionals, corporate leaders, administrators, media persons, and scientists constantly face moral dilemmas that require practical guidance. Here Applied Ethics plays a crucial role by translating abstract moral principles into operational ethical guidelines.

In conclusion, Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics are inseparable. Moral Philosophy provides the foundation, while Applied Ethics gives it practical direction. Without theory, practice becomes blind; without application, theory becomes empty. Together, they form a complete system of ethical understanding and moral action.

Q3. Critically examine major contemporary ethical debates.

Contemporary society is marked by rapid scientific, technological, political, and social changes, which have given rise to several complex ethical debates. These debates reflect conflicts between moral values, human rights, social interests, and technological power.

One of the most important ethical debates is abortion. Supporters argue for a woman’s right to control her own body (pro-choice), while opponents emphasize the moral status and right to life of the unborn child (pro-life). This debate involves issues of autonomy, dignity, personhood, and responsibility.

Another major debate concerns euthanasia or the right to die. Supporters stress compassion, relief from unbearable suffering, and personal autonomy, while critics argue that euthanasia violates the sanctity of human life and may lead to misuse.

Capital punishment is another deeply contested issue. Some defend it as a just punishment and deterrent for grave crimes, while others view it as inhuman, irreversible, and inconsistent with human rights.

The debate on genetic engineering and cloning raises serious moral concerns about human dignity, playing God, designer babies, and the commercialization of life. While biotechnology offers medical benefits, it also threatens moral boundaries.

Environmental ethics forms another crucial debate. Excessive industrialization, pollution, deforestation, climate change, and species extinction raise questions about human responsibility toward nature. The conflict between economic growth and environmental protection is central to this debate.

Gender justice and LGBTQ+ rights have also become major ethical issues. Traditional moral views often clash with modern ideals of equality, dignity, and personal freedom.

Business ethics and corporate responsibility form another important ethical debate. Issues such as exploitation of labor, environmental damage, misleading advertising, corruption, and profit versus social responsibility dominate modern economic ethics.

These ethical debates show that contemporary moral life is marked by value conflicts rather than simple moral answers. No single ethical theory can easily resolve all these dilemmas.

In conclusion, contemporary ethical debates reflect the moral complexity of modern life. They demand dialogue, critical reasoning, emotional sensitivity, legal fairness, and philosophical reflection. Applied Ethics provides the tools to analyze these debates and guide society toward morally responsible solutions.

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Q4. Explain the concept, nature, and importance of Professional Ethics.

Professional Ethics refers to the moral principles, standards, and values that guide the conduct of individuals belonging to a particular profession. Every profession—such as medicine, teaching, law, administration, engineering, journalism, and business—has its own ethical responsibilities toward society, clients, institutions, and colleagues.

The concept of Professional Ethics is based on the idea that professionals possess specialized knowledge and skills, and therefore they have higher moral responsibilities. Their decisions directly affect human lives, rights, safety, and well-being. Hence, their behavior must be guided not only by law but also by moral integrity, honesty, accountability, and service.

The nature of Professional Ethics is normative, institutional, and practical. It is normative because it prescribes what professionals ought to do. It is institutional because it is often expressed through codes of conduct developed by professional bodies. It is practical because it deals with real-life ethical situations such as confidentiality, conflict of interest, misuse of power, negligence, corruption, and professional misconduct.

The importance of Professional Ethics is very high in modern society. First, it ensures public trust. People trust doctors, teachers, judges, journalists, and administrators because they believe these professionals will act ethically. Any ethical failure destroys this trust.

Second, Professional Ethics protects clients and society from harm, exploitation, and injustice. For example, medical ethics protects patients’ rights, legal ethics protects justice, and journalism ethics protects truth and democracy.

Third, it promotes professional integrity and excellence. Ethical professionals are more committed, disciplined, and responsible in their work.

Fourth, Professional Ethics helps in resolving moral dilemmas. Professionals often face situations where legal rules are inadequate. Ethical principles help them choose the morally right path.

Finally, it strengthens democratic governance and social responsibility. In public administration, ethics ensures transparency, accountability, and service to citizens.

In conclusion, Professional Ethics is the moral backbone of every profession. Without ethical values, professional power becomes dangerous. With ethics, professional knowledge becomes a force for social good and human welfare.

Q5. Discuss ethical issues and moral responsibilities in professional life.

Professional life is filled with ethical challenges that arise from the exercise of authority, expertise, decision-making power, and institutional responsibility. Ethical issues in professional life occur when moral values conflict with personal interests, organizational pressure, legal loopholes, or financial gain.

One major ethical issue is conflict of interest, where a professional’s personal benefit interferes with professional duty. For example, a doctor receiving commission for prescribing certain medicines or a public servant favoring relatives violates ethical responsibility.

Confidentiality is another crucial ethical issue. Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and counselors have access to sensitive personal information. Revealing such information for personal gain or publicity is morally wrong.

Corruption and misuse of power remain some of the gravest ethical challenges. Bribes, favoritism, embezzlement, nepotism, and abuse of authority destroy institutional credibility and social justice.

Professional negligence and incompetence also raise ethical concerns. Lack of dedication, carelessness, and failure to update skills can cause serious harm to clients and society.

In journalism, ethical issues include fake news, paid news, sensationalism, invasion of privacy, and political bias. In business, issues include exploitation of labor, environmental damage, misleading advertisements, and tax evasion. In education, problems such as plagiarism, favoritism, commercialization, and moral indifference are common.

Professionals have several moral responsibilities. They must act with honesty, integrity, impartiality, transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity. They must prioritize public interest over personal profit, follow professional codes of conduct, and remain committed to lifelong learning.

Professionals also have a responsibility toward social and environmental welfare, not just organizational success. Ethical professionalism means combining competence with compassion and power with responsibility.

In conclusion, ethical issues in professional life are unavoidable, but moral responsibility is non-negotiable. A society’s moral health depends largely on the ethical conduct of its professionals. Therefore, cultivating professional ethics is essential for justice, trust, and sustainable social development.

Q6. Examine the ethical issues related to Bioethics.

Bioethics is a branch of Applied Ethics that deals with moral issues arising from advances in medicine, biology, and healthcare. It focuses on the ethical dimensions of life, health, death, reproduction, medical research, and new biomedical technologies. With rapid scientific progress, bioethical issues have become increasingly complex and controversial.

One of the most debated issues in bioethics is abortion. The ethical conflict lies between a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and the moral status of the unborn child. Pro-choice arguments emphasize individual freedom and health rights, while pro-life arguments emphasize the right to life of the fetus.

Another major issue is euthanasia or assisted dying. Supporters argue that terminally ill patients should have the right to die with dignity and without suffering. Opponents believe that intentional ending of life violates the sanctity of life and may be misused.

Organ transplantation and donation raise ethical questions related to consent, commercialization of organs, exploitation of the poor, and equitable access to organs. Illegal organ trade reflects serious ethical violations of human dignity.

Genetic engineering and cloning pose deep moral challenges. While genetic technology can cure diseases and improve human health, it also raises fears of “designer babies,” manipulation of human nature, violation of natural processes, and commodification of life.

Medical experimentation and clinical trials involve issues of informed consent, risk, exploitation of vulnerable populations, and protection of human rights. Historical abuses in medical research highlight the need for strict ethical regulations.

The principle of patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice forms the ethical foundation of bioethics. Doctors must respect patient choices, do good, avoid harm, and ensure fairness in treatment.

In conclusion, bioethics represents the moral conscience of modern medical science. It ensures that scientific progress does not override human dignity, compassion, justice, and moral responsibility.

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Q7. Discuss the ethical issues related to Environmental Ethics.

Environmental Ethics is concerned with the moral relationship between human beings and the natural environment. It examines human responsibility toward nature, animals, ecosystems, and future generations. With rising environmental degradation, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and species extinction, environmental ethics has become one of the most urgent areas of applied ethics.

One major ethical issue is climate change. Industrialization, excessive fossil fuel use, deforestation, and consumerism have caused global warming. Ethical questions arise regarding responsibility—whether developed nations, which historically caused more pollution, should bear greater responsibility than developing nations.

Deforestation and loss of biodiversity raise moral concerns about human domination over nature. Forests are destroyed for mining, agriculture, and infrastructure, leading to extinction of species and ecological imbalance. Ethical debate centers on whether humans have the right to exploit nature without limits.

Pollution of air, water, and soil creates serious moral problems. Industrial waste, plastic pollution, and toxic chemicals harm human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Ethical responsibility lies with governments, corporations, and individuals.

Another important issue is animal rights. Animal testing, factory farming, entertainment industries, and hunting raise moral questions about cruelty, suffering, and the moral status of animals.

The conflict between economic development and environmental protection is central to environmental ethics. Short-term economic gains often lead to long-term ecological destruction, threatening future generations.

Environmental ethics also stresses the idea of inter-generational justice, which means that present generations must not destroy natural resources needed by future generations.

In conclusion, environmental ethics demands a shift from human-centered thinking to eco-centered thinking. It calls for sustainable lifestyles, responsible development, global cooperation, and moral respect for all forms of life.

Q8. Explain the ethical issues involved in Business and Corporate Ethics.

Business Ethics refers to the application of moral principles to business activities and corporate behavior. In the modern global economy, corporations possess enormous economic power, which creates serious ethical responsibilities toward employees, consumers, society, and the environment.

One of the major ethical issues in business is exploitation of labour. Low wages, unsafe working conditions, child labour, and denial of workers’ rights violate human dignity and social justice.

Corruption and bribery are widespread ethical problems that distort markets, increase inequality, and weaken public institutions. Paying bribes to secure contracts or evade laws is morally wrong.

Misleading advertisements and fraud deceive consumers and manipulate public trust. False claims, hidden charges, and defective products violate ethical obligations of honesty and fairness.

Environmental damage by industries is another serious business ethics issue. Pollution, deforestation, and unsafe waste disposal harm both human health and ecosystems.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) emerges as an ethical response to these problems. Companies are expected not only to make profits but also to contribute positively to society through environmental protection, community welfare, and ethical governance.

Tax evasion, insider trading, data misuse, and digital exploitation have become new corporate ethical challenges in the digital age.

In conclusion, business ethics ensures that economic success does not come at the cost of human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Ethical business builds trust, stability, and long-term prosperity.

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Q9. Discuss Media Ethics and ethical challenges in communication.

Media Ethics deals with the moral principles that guide the functioning of journalists, broadcasters, social media platforms, and digital communicators. Media plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion, democracy, culture, and social values; therefore, its ethical responsibility is extremely high.

One major ethical issue is truth and objectivity. Fake news, misinformation, propaganda, and biased reporting damage public trust and democratic discourse.

Invasion of privacy is another serious concern. Media often intrudes into personal lives of individuals for sensational stories, violating dignity and human rights.

Paid news and corporate influence compromise journalistic independence. When media is influenced by money or political power, it fails in its watchdog role.

Sensationalism and TRP-driven content promote violence, hatred, fear, and moral irresponsibility. This negatively affects social harmony and mental health.

Ethics of social media raise concerns regarding hate speech, cyber bullying, data misuse, fake identities, and digital manipulation.

Media professionals also face conflicts between freedom of expression and social responsibility. Absolute freedom without responsibility can harm individuals, communities, and national security.

In conclusion, media ethics is essential for protecting democracy, truth, justice, and human dignity. An unethical media becomes a weapon of division, while an ethical media becomes a pillar of social responsibility.

Q10. Critically evaluate the importance of Applied Ethics in contemporary society.

Applied Ethics has become one of the most significant branches of moral philosophy in contemporary society due to rapid scientific, technological, social, and economic changes. Modern life is full of complex moral dilemmas that cannot be resolved by traditional moral rules alone. Applied Ethics provides practical guidance for responsible decision-making in real-life situations.

One of the greatest strengths of Applied Ethics is that it connects theory with practice. It transforms abstract moral principles into concrete guidelines for action in medicine, business, media, governance, environment, and professional life.

Applied Ethics promotes human dignity, justice, equality, and responsibility in all spheres of life. It protects individuals from exploitation, abuse of power, and injustice, especially in highly specialized professions and institutions.

In a globalized world, Applied Ethics also helps address cross-cultural moral conflicts, human rights issues, environmental crises, corporate misconduct, and digital threats.

However, Applied Ethics faces several challenges and criticisms. Moral diversity across cultures makes it difficult to reach universal ethical standards. Economic interests often override ethical values. Political pressure, corporate power, and technological speed often weaken moral accountability.

Despite these limitations, Applied Ethics remains indispensable for modern civilization. Without ethical guidance, scientific progress becomes dangerous, economic growth becomes exploitative, and governance becomes oppressive.

In conclusion, Applied Ethics is not a luxury but a necessity of contemporary life. It ensures that power, knowledge, technology, and authority are guided by moral responsibility, human values, and social justice.

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