Final answer:
An ethical impact assessment is focused on preventing future problems by analyzing the ethical implications of actions or decisions in advance, using applied ethics principles to predict and mitigate risks. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Ethical Impact Assessment
An ethical impact assessment primarily focuses on preventing future problems (a) by analyzing the potential ethical risks and consequences associated with certain actions or decisions. This process involves applying moral norms and principles to predict and mitigate negative outcomes before they happen. In the context of engineering, for instance, alongside scientific, economic, and legal aspects, ethical considerations are paramount to ensure that the work done not only meets technical standards but also aligns with societal values and does not harm individuals or the environment.
Applied ethics plays a significant role in ethical impact assessments as it provides a framework for analyzing the rightness of specific actions. This is critical for understanding how various decisions can affect social, economic, and environmental issues, and for establishing ethical practices, especially in the face of emerging technologies. Applied ethics, with its focus on contentious moral issues such as abortion, environmental racism, and online privacy, emphasizes the importance of proactive analysis rather than reactive assessments of past events or actions.
Care ethics, consequentialism, and Confucianism are examples of different ethical perspectives that may influence an ethical impact assessment. By accounting for the relationships between individuals, the consequences of actions, and ethical principles, these perspectives facilitate nuanced evaluations to prevent future ethical dilemmas or breaches.