Solved Assignment BPYG-171: Applied Ethics – Best Solution Class
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Assignment Details
- Program: BAG Philosophy
- Course Code: BPYG-171
- Course Title: Applied Ethics (Generic Course)
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Important Notes:
- All five questions must be answered
- All questions carry equal marks
- Questions 1 and 2 require answers of about 400 words each
- All parts of questions must be attempted
Question 1: Explain the ethical issues associated with technology and innovation. OR Discuss in detail preference utilitarianism of Peter Singer in the context of animal rights. (20 marks)
Solution (Option 1): Ethical Issues in Technology and Innovation
Technology and innovation present numerous ethical challenges that society must address:
- Privacy Concerns:
- Data collection by tech companies raises questions about consent and personal freedom
- Surveillance technologies threaten individual privacy rights
- Example: Facial recognition systems used without public consent
- Job Displacement:
- Automation and AI are replacing human jobs at an unprecedented rate
- Ethical obligation to retrain displaced workers
- Growing inequality between tech owners and displaced workers
- Algorithmic Bias:
- AI systems often perpetuate existing social biases
- Discrimination in hiring algorithms and loan approval systems
- Lack of diversity in tech development teams
- Environmental Impact:
- E-waste from obsolete technologies
- Energy consumption of data centers and cryptocurrency mining
- Planned obsolescence in consumer electronics
- Weaponization of Technology:
- Autonomous weapons systems
- Cyber warfare capabilities
- Dual-use technologies with military applications
- Digital Addiction:
- Social media platforms designed to be addictive
- Mental health impacts on youth
- Ethical responsibility of tech companies
Solution (Option 2): Peter Singer’s Preference Utilitarianism and Animal Rights
Peter Singer’s preference utilitarianism argues that moral actions should satisfy the preferences of all affected beings. Applied to animal rights:
- Core Principles:
- Equal consideration of interests for all sentient beings
- Capacity to suffer as moral benchmark (not intelligence or species)
- Rejection of speciesism as morally equivalent to racism/sexism
- Practical Implications:
- Opposition to factory farming practices
- Critique of animal testing for cosmetics
- Ethical vegetarianism/veganism as moral obligation
- Key Arguments:
- Animals have clear preferences (avoiding pain, seeking pleasure)
- Human preferences don’t automatically outweigh animal interests
- Most animal use fails cost-benefit analysis when preferences considered
- Criticisms:
- Difficulty in determining animal preferences
- Potential conflict with human interests
- Practical challenges in implementation
- Contemporary Relevance:
- Influence on animal welfare legislation
- Growth of plant-based food industries
- Changing attitudes toward zoos and animal entertainment
Question 2: What is Bioethics? Briefly discuss some key bioethical issues. OR Write a note on: a) Difference between ‘Morality’ and ‘Ethics’ b) Applied Ethics (20 marks)
Solution (Option 1): Bioethics and Key Issues
Bioethics Definition:
Bioethics is the study of ethical issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine. It combines philosophy, law, theology, and life sciences to examine moral questions in healthcare and biological research.
Key Bioethical Issues:
- End-of-Life Care:
- Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide debates
- Withholding vs. withdrawing treatment
- Advanced directives and living wills
- Genetic Engineering:
- CRISPR and human germline editing
- Designer babies and genetic enhancement
- GMO crops and environmental impact
- Reproductive Technologies:
- IVF and embryo selection
- Surrogacy arrangements
- Cloning technologies
- Resource Allocation:
- Organ transplant waiting lists
- Drug pricing and healthcare access
- Pandemic triage protocols
- Research Ethics:
- Informed consent in clinical trials
- Animal testing controversies
- HeLa cells and tissue ownership
Solution (Option 2): Short Notes
a) Difference Between Morality and Ethics (10 marks)
While often used interchangeably, morality and ethics have distinct meanings:
| Morality | Ethics |
|---|---|
| Personal beliefs about right/wrong | Systematic study of moral principles |
| Often rooted in religion/culture | Academic discipline with theories |
| Individual or group standards | Professional codes of conduct |
| More emotional/subjective | More rational/objective |
| Example: “Stealing feels wrong” | Example: Utilitarian analysis of theft |
b) Applied Ethics (10 marks)
Applied ethics examines specific controversial issues using ethical theories:
- Characteristics:
- Practical application of moral philosophy
- Focus on real-world dilemmas
- Interdisciplinary approach
- Major Branches:
- Medical ethics
- Business ethics
- Environmental ethics
- Technology ethics
- Methodology:
- Case study analysis
- Principle-based reasoning
- Cost-benefit evaluations
- Examples:
- Should autonomous vehicles prioritize passenger safety?
- Is whistleblowing morally obligatory?
- Ethical sourcing of conflict minerals
Question 3: Answer any two (200 words each, 10 marks each)
a) Salient Features of Anthropocentric Ethics
Anthropocentrism places humans at the moral center:
- Human Priority: Only humans have intrinsic moral worth
- Instrumental Value: Nature valued only for human benefit
- Biblical Roots: “Dominion” concept from Genesis
- Economic Focus: Cost-benefit analyses favor human interests
- Criticisms: Fails to address environmental degradation
- Modern Forms: Sustainable development as enlightened anthropocentrism
b) The ‘Is-Ought’ Gap
David Hume’s observation about deriving moral conclusions:
- Problem Statement: Can’t logically derive “ought” from “is”
- Example: “Humans evolved socially” doesn’t imply “we ought to cooperate”
- Naturalistic Fallacy: G.E. Moore’s extension of the concept
- Solutions Attempted:
- Moral realism claims objective “oughts”
- Pragmatists bridge through practical consequences
- Contemporary Relevance: Challenges in AI ethics programming
Question 4: Answer any four (150 words each, 5 marks each)
a) Theory of Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics examines moral obligations toward nature:
- Anthropocentrism: Human-centered environmentalism
- Biocentrism: All living things have intrinsic value
- Ecocentrism: Whole ecosystems matter morally
- Deep Ecology: Radical ecological egalitarianism
- Applications: Conservation policies, sustainability practices
b) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
CSR refers to business ethics beyond profit:
- Triple Bottom Line: People, planet, profit
- Stakeholder Theory: Beyond shareholder interests
- Examples: Ethical sourcing, carbon neutrality programs
- Criticisms: Greenwashing concerns, enforcement challenges
Question 5: Short notes on any five (100 words each, 4 marks each)
a) Hippocratic Oath: Ancient Greek physician oath emphasizing patient welfare, confidentiality, and non-maleficence. Modern versions updated for contemporary issues like euthanasia.
b) Climate Change: Global warming caused by human activities raises ethical questions about intergenerational justice and developed nations’ greater responsibility.
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