Philosophy · Grade 11 · Ethics and Moral Philosophy · 3.º Período

Applied Ethics in Society

Students apply ethical theories to contemporary social issues such as environmental ethics, bioethics, and technology. They develop reasoned arguments for their moral positions.

TL;DR:Applied ethics takes philosophical theories out of the classroom and into the real world. Students analyze contemporary issues such as environmental ethics, bioethics, and the ethics of technology. This topic aligns with the Ontario curriculum's goal of having students formulate and defend positions on complex societal issues, preparing them for active citizenship.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• HZB3M D3.1: Analyze contemporary ethical issues using philosophical frameworks
• HZB3M D3.2: Formulate and defend a position on an applied ethics issue

About This Topic

Applied ethics takes philosophical theories out of the classroom and into the real world. Students analyze contemporary issues such as environmental ethics, bioethics, and the ethics of technology. This topic aligns with the Ontario curriculum's goal of having students formulate and defend positions on complex societal issues, preparing them for active citizenship.

In Canada, this often involves debating issues like medical assistance in dying (MAID), pipeline construction on Indigenous lands, and the use of facial recognition technology. Students learn to apply the normative theories they've studied to these high-stakes problems. This topic is best taught through collaborative investigations and debates that require students to research multiple perspectives and build a reasoned case.

Key Questions

1. What are our moral obligations to the environment?
2. How should we navigate ethical issues in medical science?
3. What are the ethical implications of artificial intelligence?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Applied ethics is just about having an opinion on the news.

What to Teach Instead

Applied ethics requires the systematic application of philosophical frameworks to reach a conclusion. Active learning that requires students to 'show their work' by citing specific theories helps them move beyond simple opinion.

Common Misconception

There is always a 'correct' ethical answer to these problems.

What to Teach Instead

Most applied ethics issues involve a conflict between two valid moral values. Peer debates help students see that the goal is often to find the 'least bad' or most justifiable path, not a perfect one.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Bioethics Panel

Groups research a specific bioethical issue (e.g., gene editing or MAID) and present a 'policy recommendation' to the class, justifying their stance with at least two different ethical frameworks.

60 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate

Environmental Personhood

Students debate whether natural features like the St. Lawrence River should have legal personhood. They must consider Indigenous perspectives on the land alongside Western ethical theories.

45 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share

The Ethics of AI

Students are given a scenario where an AI makes a biased decision (e.g., in hiring). They work in pairs to identify who is morally responsible: the programmer, the user, or the AI itself.

25 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students understand applied ethics?

Applied ethics is all about the 'application.' Active learning strategies like 'The Bioethics Panel' or 'Structured Debates' force students to move from theory to practice. When they have to defend a position against a peer's critique, they learn how to refine their arguments and anticipate counter-points, which is the heart of ethical reasoning.

How do I choose which applied ethics topics to cover?

Look for topics that are currently being debated in the Canadian Parliament or news. Issues that have a clear 'local' impact, like a new development project or a local hospital policy, tend to engage students more deeply.

How do I handle very sensitive topics like MAID?

Set very clear ground rules for respectful dialogue. Focus on the *arguments* for and against, rather than personal beliefs. Providing students with structured 'argument maps' can help keep the discussion academic and focused.

What role does Indigenous knowledge play in environmental ethics?

It is central. Indigenous concepts of stewardship and 'all my relations' offer a profound critique of Western anthropocentric (human-centered) ethics. This is a key area for meeting Ontario's curriculum goals of diverse perspectives.