Applied ethics takes a theory of ethics, such as utilitarianism and applies it to a particular circumstance.
The chief difficulty with formal applied ethics is the potential for disagreements with the selected ethical theory. This may introduces case prototypes and precedents which are not universally acceptable to all participants.
One modern approach attempting to address this is casuistry. Casuistry attempts to establish a plan of action to respond to particular facts - a form of case-based reasoning. By doing so in advance of actual investigation of the facts, it can reduce influence of interest groups. By focusing on action and not the rationale, it can reduce influence of prior bodies of precedent and explicit moral codes.
