What is Euthanasia? Why might one think that euthanasia is morally permissible? Why might one think that it is not morally permissible? Does the alleged difference between active and passive euthanasia make a difference? How would you respond to a terminally ill patient in perpetual chronic pain? For your loved ones and yourself, what would you choose? Are age considerations relevant? Are financial considerations relevant? Discuss fully your response.
Choose one essay topic only.
The essay is to be written as a discussion.
A minimum of 5 double-spaced pages, not counting the cover or the bibliography/ reference page .
Consult at least three other sources in addition to your main textbook and class notes; internet sources acceptable.
Attach a reference page to the back of the essay; MLA or APA style acceptable.
Avoid the use of many quotations; only short quotations are acceptable.
Don’t plagiarize your textbook, the internet or each other.
The essay carries about the same weight as a major test; proportion your time accordingly.
A discursive essay is an informal essay discussing a controversial topic. The writer of a discursive essay attempts to represent both sides as completely as possible, while showing why he or she favors one side over the other. Discursive writing is a good way to learn how to logically structure an argument and how to anticipate and counter the arguments of the other side.
Instructions
Step
1
In the first paragraph, introduce a controversial topic. Explain what the topic is and how you feel about it. In general, discursive essays are informal essays, which means you can state your opinion as “I believe that….”
Step
2
Explain your strongest argument in the second paragraph. This should be the most compelling piece of evidence that your view is the correct one. It will be strengthened by any expert opinions, statistics, and real world examples you include.
Step
3
Write other support paragraphs in descending order of importance. Each paragraph should illustrate a single argument.
Step
4
Explain the counter-arguments to your point. You might introduce your explanation with a statement like “opponents argue that….” Explain their beliefs and reasoning as completely as possible. Don’t artificially weaken your opponent’s arguments – it will actually make your essay stronger if you represent the counter-arguments fairly. It may take several paragraphs to introduce all of the principal arguments of the opposition.
Step
5
Explain why you reject the opponent’s arguments. Your reasons could be moral, practical, or logical. You may want to start with a concession statement, admitting that some of the opposing arguments are valid, but you still think your side is right.
Step
6
Write a conclusion. Your conclusion should acknowledge the principal argument of your opponents, but explain why you don’t subscribe to it. For example, if you were writing a paper against the death penalty, you might say “I acknowledge that murderers deserve the most severe punishment society has, but I believe the death penalty should not be used because it can lead to the accidental execution of innocent people.”
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7
Make use of the ethical theories. Your discussions are to be informed and guided by the ethical theories or the insights derived from studying them. How you choose to go about bringing in the theories is up to you, but the main point is nonnegotiable.
