Overview
CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES PAPER: AGAINST DEATH PENTLY
An Analysis of a Contemporary Moral Issue
This paper should be 1500-2000 words (not inc. Works Cited).
Your task is to identify a contemporary moral issue from this class (death penalty, abortion, sexual ethics, and economic justice) and analyze the arguments (presented in the course readings) used in it. If none of these topics interest you, please email me and I’ll work with you on another topic. In your analysis, you will also discuss how deontological ethics and utilitarianism are used in each argument and then consider what your own position is on the issue.
PART 1 – CURRENT DIALOGUE (minimum 300 words) – 60 points
Check out the moral issue as discussed by regular people on the internet, starting with the social media feeds that you use [including, of course, the links to other sources (e.g. news or advocacy sources) posted on that social media] and/or Google or any other common way people get information or argue about this topic. What specifically are they are disagreeing about? What are the principle values that each side considers to be important? Identify an example of a speaker/author using deontological ethics (principles, rights, and obligations) and utilitarianism (consequences) and state how. Give at least two examples – one per ethical approach and include the link in the works cited.
PART 2 – PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENTS (minimum 1000 words) – 100 points
Choose two opposing arguments from the course readings. One of the arguments should utilize deontological reasonings and another argument should utilize utilitarian reasoning (if possible). For each argument do the following:
Identify the philosopher’s conclusion (claim/position) and premises (evidence) that are used to convince the reader of their claim. Include short quotes from the readings for credit.
Identify which type of moral reasoning (deontological ethics or utilitarianism) is used, and state specifically how. Include short quotes from the readings for credit.
Analyze the argument. What are some of the strong and weak premises?
What would it take to make each argument better?
PART 3 - PERSONAL REFLECTION (minimum 200 words) – 40 pointsConsider your own position on the issue and the role that you wish to play in bringing about a more just world.
o What is your position? Which ethical theories and arguments from philosophers influenced you?
Has your opinion changed since the start of the semester? If so, how?