CAPSTONE PROMPT: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

Post ID: 3514522

https://moodle.straighterline.com/mod/page/view.ph...

To demonstrate your understanding of major approaches to ethical theory.
To take a philosophical position and defend it.

Prompt

Consider the claim that lying is morally wrong. Analyze this claim from three theoretical viewpoints, including:

Hume's moral philosophy
Kant's deontological ethics
Utilitarian ethics

For each theory, answer the following:

What are the basic tenets of the theory?
What is the meaning of the claim "Lying is wrong"? What exactly makes it wrong (or not)?
If lying is indeed morally wrong, why? If not, why not? Provide examples to support your answers.

Which of these approaches gets ethical reasoning right, in your view? Why? If you reject all three approaches, defend your position.

Your essay will need an introduction that includes a thesis statement, body paragraphs that address sections two through five below, and a conclusion. Transitional phrases and a strong organizational structure will be required to unite these elements into a formal essay. Develop your essay so that you demonstrate mastery of the subject, and use support from the reading. Thoroughly review and edit your writing to ensure it is well-structured and free of errors.

AI Use-Case

Independent Work Requirement: You must complete this Capstone independently without using AI tools. The goal is for you to showcase your own understanding and skills without AI assistance. To do so, you are expected to generate and submit original work developed solely through your own reasoning and effort.

Core Requirements

Length: 750-1000 words
Format: Proper MLA header, title, and Works Cited page
Citations: MLA format for citations and Works Cited
Sources: At minimum, cite the eTextbook
Structure: Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

Note: The MLA header, title, and Works Cited page do not count toward the overall word count. If your submission does not meet the word count requirement, you will earn a 0%.

Review the Academic Honesty and Integrity Lesson for a refresher on the use of and formatting of citations. At a minimum, you should cite the eTextbook. Remember to have the full MLA citation in the Works Cited page. You may use further sources if you wish, but it is not a requirement.

Guide for Essay Structure

Section	Requirements
Introductory section	Provide a brief summary of what you will discuss in the essay. Introduce each ethical theory before stating your thesis. Clearly state your thesis. This is your answer to the final question above: Which approach to ethical reasoning is correct, in your view? Possible thesis statements for this assignment: Ultimately, Hume's moral philosophy, according to which moral judgments are based on emotion, offers the correct approach. Ultimately, Kant's categorical imperative offers the best approach to moral reasoning. Ultimately, utilitarianism offers the most sensible approach to moral reasoning. See Section 5 below on what to consider when choosing your thesis.
Section 2	What is David Hume's moral philosophy? (Be concise.) (textbook, 245-246) What is the meaning of the claim "Lying is wrong," in Hume's view? If lying is indeed wrong, what makes it so, from the perspective of Hume's moral philosophy? If Hume is right and all moral judgments are based on emotion, does this leave us with any way to settle moral disagreements? Explain.
Section 3	What are the basic tenets of Kant's moral philosophy? (Be concise.) (textbook, 248-251) According to Kant's categorical imperative, what makes the act of telling a lie morally wrong? (Your answer should give a thorough account of the categorical imperative as it applies to lying.) (textbook, 249)
Section 4	What are the basic tenets of utilitarian moral philosophy? (Be concise.) (textbook, 250-254) According to the principle of utility, what might make the act of telling a lie morally wrong? (The principle of utility: the morally best act is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness with everyone considered.) (textbook, 250)
Section 5	Which of these three approaches to moral reasoning (Hume's, Kant's, or Bentham's) makes the most sense, and why? To answer this question, you should consider issues like the following: Which theory is the best 'fit' with human nature Which theory captures what is important about morality Which theory provides us with the best tools to make moral decisions and settle moral disagreements
Conclusion	Briefly summarize your discussion and drive home your thesis.

CAPSTONE RUBRIC: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

This rubric outlines how your essay will be evaluated. Each criterion is assessed on a scale from 0 to 4.

Criteria	%	0	1	2	3	4
Introduction Provides summary; clearly states thesis	10%	No clear thesis statement; and/or no summary.	The thesis is unclear. The summary may be missing.	The thesis is attempted but may be unclear. The summary is attempted but may be unclear.	The thesis and summary are present but one may be unclear.	The thesis is clearly stated. The summary is clearly stated and sets the context for the essay.
Section 2: Hume's Moral Philosophy	15%	No questions in the section are clearly addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates no understanding of Hume's moral philosophy and its application	One of three questions is addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates a poor understanding of Hume's moral philosophy and its application.	Two of three questions are addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates a fair understanding of Hume's moral philosophy and its application.	All three questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a fairly good understanding of Hume's moral philosophy and its application.	All three questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a good understanding of Hume's moral philosophy and its application.
Section 3: Kant's Ethical Theory	15%	Neither question is addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates no understanding of Kant's ethical theory and its application.	One of the two questions is addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates a poor understanding of Kant's ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a fair understanding of Kant's ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a fairly good understanding of Kant's ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a good understanding of Kant's ethical theory and its application.
Section 4: Utilitarian Ethical Theory	15%	Neither question is addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates no understanding of utilitarian ethical theory and its application.	One of the two questions is addressed. AND/OR The section demonstrates a poor understanding of utilitarian ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a fair understanding of utilitarian ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a fairly good understanding of utilitarian ethical theory and its application.	Both questions are addressed. The section demonstrates a good understanding of utilitarian ethical theory and its application.
Conclusion	10%	There is no conclusion.	The conclusion is present but unclear, or doesn't drive home the thesis.	The conclusion is present and clear; it may lack a sufficient summary or doesn't fully drive home the thesis.	The conclusion is present and clear, it has a sufficient summary but it may only partly drive home the thesis.	The conclusion is clearly stated, sufficiently summarized, and clearly drives home the thesis.
Argument	15%	No argument for the essay's thesis is apparent.	The thesis is attempted but is poorly defended or supported in the essay. AND/OR Supporting reasoning is not present (only assertions without support).	The thesis is clear but some aspects of the defense or support are unclear. AND/OR The supporting reasoning is flawed.	The thesis is clearly presented, and most aspects are well- defended, and well-supported, throughout the essay.	The thesis is clearly presented, and effectively defended and well-supported, throughout the essay.
Organization Clear logical organization; smooth transitions	10%	The paper is poorly organized and/or lacks transitions.	The paper may be somewhat organized but lacks transitions.	The paper is organized but transitions are not smooth.	The paper is mostly well-organized; some transitions may be missing.	The paper is well-organized with clear and smooth transitions.
Writing Quality Language use, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, MLA formatting	10%	Writing quality greatly detracts from the essay. Contains many errors throughout.	Writing quality is poor and detracts from the essay. Contains errors throughout.	Writing quality is fair throughout and may contain errors.	Writing quality is good. Contains few errors throughout.	Writing quality is very good. Contains only very minor or no errors throughout.