Recent literature in applied ethics has received much of its basic philo sophical orientation from main line ethical theories, from utilitarianism to contractarianism to Kantianism.1 It comes as no surprise, therefore, that many of the underlying ethical and epistemological assumptions of research in these fields closely mirror those underlying the standard normative theories that such research seeks to apply. Applied ethicists of various schools of thought caution that unless our practices are guided by theoretical principles whose truth value can be rationally demonstrated, such practices will remain unreflective. Reflecting upon the ethics of our practices, on standard views, principally involves the application of theoretically generated principles in governing particular cases. Theoretical principles serve as major premises in a practical syl logism, the conclusion of which represents the rational resolution of the problem under consideration and the course of action to be followed. A proper application of ethical principles is one that subjugates the particular case to general theoretical requirements in a manner analogous to the application of scientific principles within the applied sciences. Theory and practice are thus sharply opposed, while the relation between the two is one of strict subordination. Good practice is that which conforms with, or is closely determined by, theoretical principles. Only under this condition is a practice such as commerce to be viewed as ethically warranted or well-founded. Moral theorizing, on standard views, serves essentially epistemological ends. It provides a systematic grounding for practices, generates principles for the justification of specific policies, and pronounces its determinations from