02 May For our signature assignment, we will be gathering ideas and perspectives from at least two different ethical systems we study in this class and compare and contrast them as they relate in the answers and perspectives they give to modern day ethical problems. In Weeks 1-8, we discuss various ethical systems, and you must choose from among the ones we study
For our signature assignment, we will be gathering ideas and perspectives from at least two
different ethical systems we study in this class and compare and contrast them as they relate in
the answers and perspectives they give to modern day ethical problems. In Weeks 1-8, we
discuss various ethical systems, and you must choose from among the ones we study. In Weeks
11-14 of our course, we discuss several of the difficult ethical choices people face, but you do
not have to choose only from those topics; you can choose your own version of a concrete,
moral problem.
Once you determine the ethical question you want to research and write on, you will also need
to do the following:
1. Choose two different ethical systems we have studied in the first 8 weeks of the course
to compare the ways they answer this ethical problem. You may not choose both
Egoism and Relativism in the same paper. Beyond this caveat, one of the ethical systems
should be the one you are convinced makes the most sense in answering the problem
correctly; the other system will be on that you believe does not have as good an answer.
2. Determine a clear thesis on the topic: Your thesis must make a stand on the ethical
problem. For example, ‘euthanasia is an ethically wrong choice to make.’
3. Explain and support the ethical system that gives the best support for your thesis. Give
arguments for why it is the best system to answer this ethical question.
4. Discuss a different ethical system that would lead people to believe the opposite of your
thesis. Present that view in its strongest light – no strawman arguing. Then argue, with
academic support, why that system is not correct.
5. In your conclusion, you should reaffirm your thesis and the ethical system that supports
your argument; as well, you need to include a final section on why that ethical system
also helps make other ‘right’ decisions when faced with difficult ethical decisions. This
part of your conclusion describes your ethical stance moving forward and your
confidence in the ethical system you have chosen.
The paper itself must be an academically formatted paper (APA) between 5-7 pages and your
academic support must include at least 3 credible academic sources that discuss either the
ethical dilemma you chose or the ethical systems you describe in the paper.
You do not need an abstract.
