This course has three written assignments that build upon one another and are designed to take you step-by-step through a process of writing a paper that identifies an ethical question, examines the context, issues, and arguments surrounding the question, and attempts to defend an answer to that question using strong moral reasoning.
This course has three written assignments that build upon one another and are designed to take you step-by-step through a process of writing a paper that identifies an ethical question, examines the context, issues, and arguments surrounding the question, and attempts to defend an answer to that question using strong moral reasoning. This second written assignment is a four-part exercise comprised of the following sections: Ethical Question, Introduction, Explanation of the Ethical Theory, and Application of the Ethical Theory.
In this assignment, you will revise and expand on your previous work, focusing on defining the core principles of your chosen ethical theory and demonstrating how those principles lead to a moral conclusion related to your ethical question. The goal is to articulate how a fully committed adherent of this ethical theory would answer your question, even if that is not your personal stance. The paper should be between 900 and 1,000 words, formatted in essay style with clearly labeled sections, a title page, and a reference page.
Paper For Above instruction
Part 1: Ethical Question
Begin by clearly stating the ethical question you are exploring. This question should relate to the same topic as your Week 1 assignment and reflect any revisions you have made based on instructor feedback and further research. If you consider changing the topic, ensure to consult your instructor beforehand. Write the ethical question beneath this heading.
Part 2: Introduction
Provide an expanded and revised introduction to the topic and ethical question, considering insights gained from additional research and feedback. This section should clarify how your understanding of the issue has evolved, specify the focus of the question, and include background and contextual details. The introduction should be at least 300 words, written in one or two paragraphs, and placed under the appropriate heading.
Part 3: Explanation of the Ethical Theory
This section involves a comprehensive overview of an ethical theory—utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics. Focus exclusively on the theory itself, not your specific topic. Include a brief historical background and mention key philosophers associated with it. Clearly articulate the core moral principles of the theory, especially the one you will employ in your application. Explain, using a general example different from your main issue, how the theory’s principles guide moral reasoning. Incorporate at least one quote from scholarly resources on the theory. Limit this discussion to approximately 300 words and place it under the designated heading.
Part 4: Application of the Ethical Theory
Apply the core principles of the chosen ethical theory to your ethical question. Explain explicitly how these principles would lead a rational adherent to a specific moral conclusion. This conclusion represents how someone committed to this ethical framework would respond to your question, which may differ from your personal view or from what you concluded in Week 1. This section should be about 300 words and be placed under the appropriate heading.
The entire paper should quote from at least one scholarly source on your ethical theory, follow APA formatting, and include a title page and references. Ensure your writing is academically rigorous and uses clear, structured paragraphs. The purpose is to present a well-reasoned moral analysis rooted in ethical theory.
References
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Hackett Publishing.
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
Nicomachean Ethics. (c. 340 B.C.E.). Aristotle.
Ross, W. D. (1930). The right and the good. Clarendon Press.
Singer, P. (2011). Practical ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Slote, M. (2014). Virtue ethics. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2014 Edition). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
Pullman, M. (2013). Ethics: A contemporary introduction. Routledge. Shaw, W. H. (2016). Moral reasoning: spaces for principled deliberation. Routledge. Williams, B. (1985). Moral luck and the limits of moral responsibility. In J. Drive (Ed.), Moral luck and other essays (pp. 1-19). Cambridge University Press.
