The paper should be approximately eight to ten pages word-processed
(2400-3000 words).
Do not use ChatGPT (or any other similar computerized system) in
writing your paper. Your paper should be the product of your own
thoughts.
The date/time the Term Paper is due is 12/9/23, 12 noon.
Use a standard footnote and reference system widely accepted in US
university contexts; indicate which system you are using.
II. Some Possible Paper Topics
Some possible topics for papers in 3273 are listed below. If you wish to
choose any of the following topics, you need not get approval from the
teacher.
******If you prefer to write about a more individualized topic other
than those listed here, you MUST get approval in writing (in an email)
from the teacher PRIOR TO writing the paper. ******
If you choose to write a paper by reference to a required course
reading by an author, please define any “important ethical claim” you
focus on in a way distinct from what you might have written about for
the pre-Midterm or post-Midterm participation writing assignments, or
the Midterm. DO NOT simply repeat what you put into any short
commentary (pre-Midterm or post-Midterm) for the course, or a
Midterm answer, though you are permitted to significantly deepen and
further develop ideas you may have put into a short pre- or post-
Midterm essay/commentary, or Midterm answer.
IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT WRITING ON ANY OF THE POSSIBLE PAPER
TOPICS BELOW: IN THE COURSE OF YOUR PAPER, CONSIDER THE
QUESTION HOW “DEMOCRATIC ETHICS” IS OR IS NOT RELEVANT TO
YOUR CHOSEN TOPIC AND PAPER.
Further instructions about papers may be made available by other
means than this 10/26/23 item. (you can choose from any of the prompts below)
1. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of (a) an ethical issue about business that is fundamental to
the operation of a “free market” or “market economy”; OR (b) an
ethical issue about business that is fundamental to the rules that define
what a for-profit corporation should be allowed or required to do. Say
what your own ethical view is about that issue, and give reasons or
evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your own unique
experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least one important
ethical objection to your view and how you would respond to it. You
may, (but you are NOT required to), write your paper by reference to
the required course reading by Phillip Pettit.**
2. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is related to the legal
options that corporate executives (in the US or in other countries) have
in decisions about the corporations they work for. Say what your own
ethical view is about that issue, and give reasons or evidence for your
view. Include ideas about how your own unique experience is relevant
to your answers. Consider at least one important ethical objection to
your view and how you would respond to it. You may, (but you are NOT
required to), write your paper including reference to the required
course reading by Joseph Stiglitz (in The Price of Inequality).**
3. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is about “capital flight”.
Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and give reasons or
evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your own unique
experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least one important
ethical objection to your view and how you would respond to it. You
may, but you need not discuss the topic by reference to a particular
important actual illustrative example. You may, (but you are NOT
required to), write your paper including reference to the required
course reading by Peter Singer or Joseph Stiglitz.**
4. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is discussed (or implied)
in Sen’s Development as Freedom about economic development and
freedom(s). Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and
give reasons or evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your
own unique experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least
one important ethical objection to your view and how you would
respond to it.**
5. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is discussed (or implied)
in Sen’s article “Global Warming is Just One of Many Environmental
Threats that Demand Our Attention”. Say what your own ethical view is
about that issue, and give reasons or evidence for your view. Include
ideas about how your own unique experience is relevant to your
answers. Consider at least one important ethical objection to your view
and how you would respond to it. **
6. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of some ethical issue about business that is discussed (or
implied) in Singer’s chapter “One Atmosphere” (in One World Now-The
Ethics of Globalization) about economic activities and environmental
matters. Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and give
reasons or evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your own
unique experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least one
important ethical objection to your view and how you would respond
to it. **
7. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about “geoengineering” (or “climate
engineering”). The issue may or may not be one that is discussed (or
implied) in Singer’s chapter “One Atmosphere” (in One World Now-The
Ethics of Globalization) about economic activities and environmental
matters. “Geoengineering” should be defined in the way understood in
Singer’s book. Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and
give reasons or evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your
own unique experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least
one important ethical objection to your view and how you would
respond to it. **
8. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is discussed (or implied)
in Singer’s book on the ethics of globalization (One World Now-The
Ethics of Globalization). Choose the ethical claim you discuss by
reference to the question whether any ethical decisions impacting
business activity should give significant weight to nation-state
“sovereignty”. Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and
give reasons or evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your
own unique experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least
one important ethical objection to your view and how you would
respond to it. **
9. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about one
example of an ethical issue about business that is about military
spending by a democratic government. Say what your own ethical view
is about that issue, and give reasons or evidence for your view. Include
ideas about how your own unique experience is relevant to your
answers. Consider at least one important ethical objection to your view
and how you would respond to it. You may, but you need not discuss
the topic by reference to a particular important actual illustrative
example. **
10. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about
one example of an ethical issue about business that is about inequality.
Say what your own ethical view is about that issue, and give reasons or
evidence for your view. Include ideas about how your own unique
experience is relevant to your answers. Consider at least one important
ethical objection to your view and how you would respond to it. You
may, but you need not discuss the topic by reference to a particular
important actual illustrative example, or some aspect of the Stiglitz
book, The Price of Inequality. **
11. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim about
one example of an ethical issue about business that is about technology
(e.g., information technology; but other technology as well). Say what
your own ethical view is about that issue, and give reasons or evidence
for your view. Include ideas about how your own unique experience is
relevant to your answers. Consider at least one important ethical
objection to your view and how you would respond to it. You may, but
you need not discuss the topic by reference to a particular important
actual illustrative example, or some reading in the course. **
12. Explain and evaluate* at least one important ethical claim or issue
about “free market fundamentalism” as this concept is used in the
readings by Stiglitz (Price of Inequality) and/or Stiglitz and Greenwald
(Creating a Learning Society). Say what your own ethical view is about
that claim or issue, and give reasons or evidence for your view. Include
ideas about how your own unique experience is relevant to your
answers. Consider at least one important ethical objection to your view
and how you would respond to it. You may, but you need not discuss
the topic by reference to a particular important actual illustrative
example. *
