This paper is essentially the capstone and culmination of the course. In it, you will show a thorough
understanding of two ethical frameworks by applying them to a controversial ethical issue. Moreover,
you will engage in critical analysis and, finally, clarify your own insights regarding ethical decision-
making.
This paper needs to be at least 5 full pages, double spaced (with regular one-inch margins all around).
Find a story in the news, either in a newspaper or from a legitimate news website. This story should be
recent (from no more than three years ago). It should not be from a website devoted to offering mere
pros and cons of ethical issues.
This news story should focus on one of the following controversial ethical issues: abortion, capital
punishment, torture, gun control, religious freedom, animal rights, the Black Lives Matter movement,
immigration or immigration reform, LGTBQ or transgender rights, or issues surrounding the COVID-
19 situation. If you would like to write about active euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, you may
do so, but you will need to read all the required course material on that issue first. If you wish to use a
different ethical issue not mentioned here, you must contact me for permission.
1. Find a story in the news (from a legitimate news website) that connects to the issue you choose. At
the top of your paper, provide the URL link for the article (or articles) that you primarily reference in
your paper.
2. Briefly explain the situation, issue, or problem related in your news story. (This needs to be less than
one page. However, you are free to use a full page or even more than a page here, provided that the
overall length of the paper is extended as a result; this ensures that the paper will still provide the
required depth of ethical analysis and reflection.)
3. Then analyze the story from the perspective of two different ethical systems we have examined so
far. Be sure to use and draw upon many of the resources and ideas found within each system you
choose. That is, provide a detailed and thorough analysis rather than a superficial one.
Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics
Nietzsche’s Moral Nihilism
Ethical Relativism
C.S. Lewis’ Humble Moral Absolutism (this is the Natural Law version of Moral
Absolutism, or the “Law of Human Nature,” similar to Brannigan’s proposed “5th Option”)
Johannes de Silentio and the Divine Command Theory of Morality (pseudonymous
“author” of Fear and Trembling)
Environmental Ethics
o You have already had an assignment focusing exclusively on Kant and Mill, so you
may not use them in this portion of this paper.
4. Mark an argument regarding which of the two ethical systems is better and why you think so. This
needs to be more than just a sentence or two – at least one substantial paragraph, if not more. The
paper needs to present well-considered reasons for preferring one over the other. (It is acceptable for
papers to say that they agree or disagree with both moral systems, but the paper must still make an
argument as to which of the two is better than the other; that is, they cannot be judged as completely
equal.)
5. Conclude the paper by providing your personal views on the best way to approach ethical decision-
making. This portion of the paper does not have to be tied directly to the paper’s main ethical issue
or news story. The paper should address your personal views on ethics in general. In this portion of
the paper, it will be acceptable – and it is even encouraged – to refer to other moral systems in
addition to the two used in the paper’s main analysis. And there are no restrictions here – it is
perfectly acceptable to refer to either Kant’s Deontology or Mill’s Utilitarianism (or both)
You are required to engage directly with the required texts for our class. For Aristotle, it is
our specific edition of his Nicomachean Ethics, and all others are found on Talon. You
must quote and reference those required texts.
Whenever you refer to specific passages from our texts, you must include the specific page
number within the paper (i.e., you must indicate exactly where the author makes the claim
or argument you are discussing; the author’s name alone is not sufficient). These are in-text
citations.
You must provide in-text citations every time you directly quote from the text. You must
also provide in-text citations every time you paraphrase from the text. You can either use
footnotes or parenthetical references – just be consistent. (Parenthetical references are
easiest and preferred.
