Ethics and Applied Ethics

Thinking carefully about right and wrong in real life

Ethics studies how people should act and how values shape individual and collective decisions. Applied ethics brings philosophical reasoning to real-world dilemmas in health care, technology, public policy and everyday life. At UB, ethics research connects moral theory with practical challenges facing society today.

Great for students interested in health care, law, public policy, technology, social justice or ethical leadership.

Big questions ethics helps answer

Ethics research explores questions such as:

  • What makes an action right or wrong?
  • Is what is right different from what is good?
  • How should scarce resources be allocated fairly?
  • What ethical responsibilities come with new technologies?
  • How do moral values guide professional and public decision-making?

These questions are central to personal choices and institutional policies alike.

How ethics research works

Ethics research combines philosophical argument, case analysis and interdisciplinary dialogue. Scholars examine moral principles and apply them to concrete situations, often working alongside professionals in other fields.

Research approaches may include:

  • Analysis of ethical theories and frameworks
  • Case studies in medicine, law and technology
  • Collaboration with health care providers and policymakers
  • Public engagement and ethical consultation

Key areas of focus

Ethics research at UB often addresses:

  • Bioethics and health care ethics
  • Professional and organizational ethics
  • Ethics of technology and artificial intelligence
  • Social and political ethics
  • Moral responsibility and decision making

Research faculty

Get involved

Students can explore ethics through coursework, research projects, independent study and interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in health care and policy-related contexts.