During the last two decades of the 20th century, applied ethics has not only developed into one of the most important philosophical disciplines but has also differentiated into so many subdisciplines that it is becoming increasingly difficult to survey it. An overview is of the field is provided by the 18 contributions to this volume, in which international experts deal with central questions of environmental ethics, bioethics and medical ethics, professional and business ethics, social, political, and legal ethics as well as with the aims and foundations of applied ethics in general. Including a philosophical introduction and selected bibliographical references added to each chapter, the book should well suited as a basis for courses in applied ethics. It is directed not only to philosophers and to ethicists from other disciplines but to scientists in general and to all people who are interested in the rational discussion of moral principles and their application to concrete problems in the sciences and in everyday life.