Using an ethics topic, write a 1300 – 1700 word essay that identifies an ethical issue(s) and describes, analyzes and evaluates the arguments surrounding the moral question. This essay should be properly APA formatted, with appropriate citations and references.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
2. The thesis statement must take a position on one of the following issues:
capital punishment
3. The essay must apply two and only two ethical theories to support the thesis. The ethical theories that are available to be applied are:
utilitarianism (Bentham, Millo, or Singer)
duty ethics (Kant)
3. You must cite at least 3 sources. At least two must be a primary source — the writings of a philosopher.
SPECIAL NOTE: The two primary source references and citations must be present to receive any points for this assignment. No reference and citation, no points.
4. Here are some thesis statement examples:
Opposition to the death penalty can be supported using virtue ethics and utilitarianism.
The right to die with dignity can be supported using duty ethics and care ethics.
Same-sex marriage can be supported using utilitarianism and duty ethics.
Legalization of the use of marijuana for recreation can be supported using utilitarianism and duty ethics.
Laws ensuring access to healthcare for all can be supported using social contract theory and utilitarianism.
4. All papers should strive to address these issues from a philosophical perspective. Logical argument and scientific data should be the stuff of your paper. Not personal opinion or even personal experience.
The essay MUST follow the precise structure described below to be eligible for a grade:
Paragraph 1: Introduction (state the thesis)
Paragraph 2: Background (give relevant history of the issue and current laws, if applicable)
Paragraph 3: Explain Theory 1 (probably Virtue Ethics, Duty Ethics, or Utilitarianism)
Paragraph 4: Apply Theory 1 to your thesis
Paragraph 5: Explain Theory 2
Paragraph 6: Apply Theory 2 to your thesis
Paragraph 7: Evaluate the approaches
Paragraph 8: Conclusion (summarize and/or restate the thesis)
Here′s an example that might be helpful to your understanding of the outline.
Topic: Gun Control
Outline stated in short
Intro — Thesis statement: Restriction of gun ownership can be reasonably supported using utilitarianism and duty ethics.
Background – There is a history of gun control measures being full of holes because it is not federal and/or weak control or not enforced
Explain Theory 1 – Utilitarianism argues that an action is good if it increases pleasure and reduces pain, or otherwise contributed to the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Apply Theory 1 – This proposed gun control would reduce the murder rate and gun violence — thus reducing the pain of gun violence and bringing about the pleasure associated with a safe society.
Explain Theory 2 – Duty theory suggests that we should not consider consequences, but rather do our duty to obey a universal law. Duty theory is often about rights.
Apply Theory 2 – Some argue that we have a duty to recognize the rights of people to carry these weapons, no matter the consequences, but recognizing the right to live is more important.
Evaluate the approaches — We might all agree that reducing gun crime is good. Should we value the right to carry arms more? No. We should value the right to be safe from gun violence more. The rights are conflicting and safety is a more basic right.
Conclusion (summarize and/or restate the thesis) – This law should be passed because safety and the right to safety is more important than the right to carry a gun.
