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

During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt radically changed the relation of the US government to the American people by promoting aid, relief, and government intervention in the economy. These changes had enormous benefits but also came at a huge cost. In a detailed essay, describe the actions of FDR during the New Deal and argue its successes and/or failures. In your own educated and well-explained opinion, did the New Deal either go too far in providing aid to Americans or not far enough (make sure to use the provided sources for specifics)?

You can say whether he went too far or not far enough, the direction doesn’t matter, just as long as there are supporting details from the sources provided below.

Requirements:

– 3 – 5 pages (it cannot go over). The minimum and maximum are firm rules.

– Double spaced, 11 or 12pt font, full citation of sources

-You may only use the two sources I provided and the textbook. You must use all three sources at least once in your essay. You must cite these sources in your paper. No other sources are acceptable!

– Fully answer the question and support your argument with fact.

-You must use both of the supplied sources somewhere in your essay. If your argument goes against what the evidence in the source, use it as a counterpoint that you can contradict.

Here are the sources:

1) The textbook, Give Me Liberty. Chapters 20 and 21 covers the Great Depression, FDR, and the New Deal. Still, you may use other sections from the textbook if they fit your essay.

2) This is an essay written by the historian Jim Powell for the Cato Institute. The Cato Institute is a largely libertarian think-tank that promotes limited government involvement. Keep that in mind while reading the article:

          https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/tough-questions-defenders-new-deal (Links to an external site.)

3) The “Every Man a King” and “Share our Wealth” speeches by Huey Long. At the time of these speeches, Long served as a Senator from Louisiana. He was often critical of FDR for not going far enough with the New Deal. As you will see after reading, Long’s plan for government aid was very radical.

https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/23-the-great-depression/huey-p-long-every-man-a-king-and-share-our-wealth-1934/ (Links to an external site.)