Overview
Rachels makes two major claims in his article "Active and Passive Euthanasia". There are two parts to this assignment:
(a) What are those claims? and (b) Do you think Rachels's arguments for his two major claims are convincing? Explain why they are or why they are not.
Please complete the following elements:
1. Identify and locate in the text Rachels's two major claims.
2. a. How does Rachels attempt to generate support for the first major claim? What is his general reasoning in support of that claim? Present and discuss the examples he uses as part of his support for this claim.
b. How does Rachels attempt to generate support for the second major claim? What is his general reasoning in support of that claim? Present and discuss the examples he uses as part of his support for this claim.
3. a. Is Rachels's argument/reasoning/use of examples for his first major claim convincing? Take a clear position, and engage with specific elements of Rachels's reasoning in an effort to articulate why you hold the position you do and in an effort to support your position.
b. Is Rachels's argument/reasoning/use of examples for his second major claim convincing? Take a clear position, and engage with specific elements of Rachels's reasoning in an effort to articulate why you hold the position you do and in an effort to support your position.
Assignment 3 showcases two essential features of philosophical writing that are required components of the Final Paper assignment. Elements 1 and 2 presented above correspond to the "Received View/Reconstruction" component of the Final Paper assignment, where you reconstruct another's view. Assignment 3 solicits a partial reconstruction of Rachels's view focusing on his two major claims and the reasoning he offers in attempt to support those claims. Element 3 presented above corresponds to the "Analysis" component of the Final Paper assignment, where you take a clear position of your own and analyze one or more received view(s) in order to generate support for your position and construct an original argument in support of that position. Here, you will be taking two positions (one for each of Rachels's two major claims), each of which may take one of two forms (either claim x is convincing or claim x is not convincing) and you will be engaging closely with specific reasons Rachels offers in each case in order to support your position.
A3 submissions will be assessed in accordance with the General Grading Rubric for Written Assignments presented in the Course Syllabus and the A3 Guidelines and Scoring Rubric (see below).
Assignment 3 Guidelines and Scoring Rubric
Assignment 3: Rachels makes two major claims in his article. What are those claims? In your view, are his arguments for those claims convincing? Why or why not?
50/50 is equivalent to 100%, i.e., A+; 48/50 is equivalent to 96%, i.e., A; 46/50 is equivalent to 92%, i.e., A-; 44/50 is equivalent to 88%, i.e., B+; 42/50 is equivalent to 84%, i.e., B; and 40/50 is equivalent to 80%, i.e., B-. 38/50 is equivalent to 76%, i.e., C; 36/50 is equivalent to 72%, i.e., C-; 34/50 is equivalent to 68%, i.e., D+; 32/50 is equivalent to 64%, i.e., D; 30/50 is equivalent to 60%, i.e., D-; and <30/50 is equivalent to <60%, i.e., F.
Scores will be assessed on the basis of seven criteria with criteria (1)-(3) being the major criteria.
- Presentation of Rachels’s two major claims;
- Presentation of Rachels’s arguments for each major claim;
- Evaluation of whether the arguments presented in (2) are convincing;
- Direct engagement with the text in your discussion of both (1) and (2). The best responses for written assignments pertaining to assigned readings bring close attention to specific passages and wording given in the text. The best responses also engage with these passages and explain them and any technical terminology the text utilizes;
- Effective use of references. Please include a page reference, e.g., (Rachels, 159), each time you use or mention words or ideas from the reading. Please, also, use a reference whenever using or mentioning the words or ideas from the film or the lecture, e.g., (Rachels Lecture, Part II). And, in the event that you use or mention the words or ideas from any other sources (which is discouraged in this particular assignment), please include either a page reference similar to the one given above or as informative of a reference as is possible given the source being used or mentioned;
- Inclusion of full bibliographical information for any work cited in-text at the end of your assignment in a list of works cited; and
- Sufficiently developed, clear, grammatically correct writing.