For this paper, you will have the opportunity to argue your position on any of the topics discussed in class. For example,

For this paper, you will have the opportunity to argue your position on any of the topics discussed in class. For example,

-Abortion (topics: fetal rights vs. women’s rights (Thomson); fetal personhood; Marquis’ “future-like-ours” argument).

-Euthanasia ethics (pro or against legalizing active euthanasia, for example).

-Universal medical care in the USA

-Cloning

-Fertility treatments

Requirements:

10-15 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins (you may exceed 15 pages if you wish, but you may not turn in anything less than 10 FULL pages without penalty).

At least two internal sources (articles we have read in class) and two outside scholarly sources (reputable outside material that we have not read in class, e.g., a journal article or a book. Internet articles DO NOT count as scholarly sources, though you may use them in addition to these sources, so long as they are reputable sources of information (that is, no propaganda).

You must be very careful to cite absolutely every single piece of information you acquire and use in your paper; do not leave yourself open to plagiarism charges. Please turn in a full bibliography of all your sources, and make sure to indicate within the paper when some piece of information is not your own. Cite direction quotations using quotations marks.

While I am interested in hearing your arguments, I am not interested in hearing your opinions. There’s a big difference. Every single person has an opinion on these issues, but I want my students to have reasoned, and well thought-out positions. In other words, this paper is not an opportunity for you just to tell me what you think, but tell me why you think it. Pretend you are a lawyer and you are trying to convince me, by giving logical reasons, why your stance is correct. Or, pretend you are a medical professional who has made an important decision in the life of a patient that you now have to justify to an ethics advisory board.

I expect the paper to be clearly written, orderly, and free of grammatical errors, and free of logical fallacies. I also expect a clear thesis statement right at the beginning of the paper so I know, right from the start, what your proposed position is.

In order to ensure that your paper remains an applied ethics paper, you must devote at least half of your paper to arguing for your position from a moral framework discussed in class (e.g. utilitarianism (Act or Rule), deontology (either Kant or Ross)). Therefore, I expect every single paper to have, as one of its sections, the following: “Defending my position using moral theory X.”

So, for example, say you have a section entitled “Defending my pro-abortion rights stance using Kantian deontology”, where you would illustrate to me how Kant’s two categorical imperatives can be used to support abortion rights (e.g., (1) can one universally will that women be forced to gestate? In order to defend this, perhaps take a look at places that do force women to do this, say Romania or America pre-1970s, and give me reasons why you could not universally will this; (2) does forcing women to gestate treat them solely as a means to an end? Explain).

Or, for example, say that you have a section entitled “Defending my anti-euthanasia stance using utilitarianism,” where you would perhaps look at countries (e.g., The Netherlands) that have more permissive euthanasia practices and illustrate how those practices have resulted in bad consequences (e.g., there is some evidence that the practice of voluntary euthanasia has lead to some instances of nonvoluntary euthanasia, and this, one could argue, can result in concerning consequences).

Any intelligent position must see things from all sides of the question. Therefore, you must devote some time in your paper you detailing and responding to an objection to your argument from someone we read in class. So, for example, if you are arguing in favor of universal healthcare in the USA, consider a couple of Pence’s stated arguments against universal healthcare (two should be ok. I rather you devote a good amount of time to arguing against a few points than briefly covering a whole mess of them), and then try to respond that person’s arguments in a rational manner. This means, of course, that you need to take some time to explaining your opponent’s argument and responding to his or her points appropriately. So, everyone should have a section in their paper that reads something like: “Defending my stance against an objection.”

Finally, have fun with it. This is your chance to really explore your beliefs, find reasons for them, and argue for your position. This is your chance to let your voice be heard; albeit in a rational, rather than a purely visceral, manner. Pick a topic you really care about, and devote some time to researching it and explaining to me why your position is morally sound.

So, an outline of your paper would look something like this. Follow this outline as precisely as possible and it will make your writing clearer and manageable.

I. Introduction to topic, ending with a clear and concise thesis statement (e.g., In this paper I will argue x. I will look at the writings of a, b, c to support my view, and respond to the objections proffered by x, y, and z).

II. Explaining the moral theory you’re going to use (spend a good amount of time here, showing me that you are familiar and understand the ethical theory you picked. Use citations from the readings and powerpoint. Be as thorough as you can – you will be graded on your illustration of an understanding and mastery of the class content.).

III. Applying your chosen moral theory to your argument (this is the crux of your paper and where you will make most of your arguments).

IV. Explaining an objection to your view (here you will pick someone we have read in class who disagrees with your point of view and you will take the time to explain that opposing viewpoint. Do so fairly and charitably. Remember, just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t automatically mean that their view is bad).

V. Your response to the objection in part IV.

VI. Conclusion.

The following are philosophy-centered research data bases that will help you in finding relevant external sources. All of these are available freely online, or, for the paid services, though the ASU library system.

Philosopher’s Index

JSTOR.org

Google Scholar

Philosophy Documentation Center

The following are the two best philosophy on-line encyclopedias. They should be used as a springboard for research or for further clarifying certain ideas, not for the research itself (that is, don’t cite the articles here for your research, rather use them as a guide for the relevant literature in the field that you will then read).

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers

Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.

Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS

Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?

Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.

We write plagiarism Free Content

Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.

Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.