Introduction to Ethics 227                Assistant Prof. R.G.C. Thomas

ETHICS PAPER:
ASSIGNMENT DIRECTIONS & HELPFUL GUIDELINES

I. Why Write an Essay? The goal of the assignment

In short, writing an essay is the ideal way to challenge you to think like a moral philosopher. This assignment will challenge you to develop and implement the following fundamental philosophical skills:

    the ability to problem-solve and organize ideas by analyzing complex philosophical concepts, definitions, and arguments.
    the ability to conduct creative and systematic critical examination of complex moral philosophical ideas and arguments.
    the ability to articulate ones arguments and moral philosophical ideas with clarity, confidence, and efficacy.
    the ability to be rationally persuasive.
    to foster the philosophical and moral reasoning skills needed to facilitate the development of a coherent and systematic moral framework in which one can propose solutions for the variety of ethical problems experienced in contemporary society.

II. What are the Required Tasks?

Hopefully, at this stage of the semester, you have become rather familiar with the demands and benefits of philosophical reflection. Although you are aware, and perhaps even have experienced, what critical thinking as to offer, there is a good chance that you are still unclear about the assignment itself. Perhaps you are asking the simple question: what am I supposed to do?

You are required to perform SIX primary tasks. You are expected to do the following:

1.    To choose a particular ethical issue that is currently affecting contemporary society. You are to pick ONE issue from the following list:

    ABORTION
    EUTHANASIA
    PORNOGRAPHY
    CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
    TORTURE
    ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
    ANIMAL RIGHTS
    FAMINE RELIEF

2.    To demonstrate an understanding of the problems and complexities of the particular moral issue you have chosen.

3.    To identify and explain the structure and substance of the arguments presented in your TWO primary articles. In other words, you are to illustrate how the thinkers arrived at their conclusions. Ultimately, you are to do this by showing that you have mastered their ideas.

4.    To identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments and ideas asserted in your articles by referring to the moral philosophical theories explored in the first part of the course. In short, you are presenting a contrastive analysis.

5.    Explain why you are, or are not, convinced by the thinker using your own supporting evidence/arguments or internal evidence from the article itself.

6.    Explain why the thinkers or thinkers idea(s) might provoke controversy. Explore the significance and implications of the thinkers or thinkers idea(s) and discuss what can be learned by these idea(s).

This assignment may seem daunting at first; however, the more you are acquainted with the material the less intimidating it will be for you.  As you have discovered, ethics demands a considerable amount of thinking.  So, of course, think the material through and have some patience.

The paper is expected to be presented in the following fashion:

    7-9 pages in length
    cover page
    footnotes (no parenthetical notation)
    11 size font
    double-spaced
    margins are to be no longer than 1 inches

VII. Ethical Topics & Articles

Abortion
The Abortion Issue, Mary Anne Warren
The Moderate Position: Beyond the Personhood Argument, Jane English

Euthanasia
Active & Passive Euthanasia, James Rachels (see course text)
Active & Passive Euthanasia: A Reply to James Rachels, John Arthur

Pornography
Pornography and Respect for Women, Ann Garry (NOTE: this paper appears in the course text as Sex, Lies, and Respect)
Pornography without Prejudice, G.L. Simons

Capital Punishment
The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense, Ernest van den Haag (see course text)
Eye For An Eye, Stephen Nathanson

Torture
Liberalism, Torture, and the Ticking Bomb, David Luban
The Case for Torturing the Ticking Bomb Terrorist, Alan Dershowitz

Animal Rights
All Animals are Equal, Peter Singer (see course text)
Speciesism and Idea of Equality, Bonnie Steinbock (see course text)

Environmental Ethics
The Land Ethic, Aldo Leopold
People or Penguins, William Baxter (see course text)

Famine Relief
Famine, Affluence, and Morality, Peter Singer (see course text)
A Reply to Singer, John Arthur