Applying Theory: Environmental Issues - The Goal Of This Ass

Applying Theory: Environmental Issues The goal of this assignment is to

The goal of this assignment is to apply an ethical theory to a real-world environmental issue. Students will select an environmental topic such as environmental justice/inequality, pollution, or waste reduction, and analyze it through the lens of a chosen philosophical ethical theory (utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics). The task involves preparing a PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates how this ethical framework informs the understanding of the issue, focusing on moral and ethical considerations rather than personal opinions or politicized arguments. The presentation will consist of 11 slides: one title slide, nine argumentative slides, and one references slide. Each argumentative slide will contain a key point about the ethical aspects of the issue, supported by an illustrative image, and accompanied by notes that expand on the point.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires a comprehensive analysis of an environmental issue through an ethical theory, emphasizing moral reasoning. First, the student must select an environmental concern—such as environmental justice, pollution, or waste management—and examine it from an ethical perspective by applying one of three philosophical theories: utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics. The process begins with understanding how the chosen theory explains real-world behaviors and decision-making, especially in the context of environmental challenges. Each theory's core concepts—such as utility maximization in utilitarianism, duty in deontology, or moral virtues—must be identified and related to environmental ethics.

Constructing a clear thesis question is essential, succinctly framing the ethical inquiry—e.g., “How does a utilitarian perspective justify or critique current waste reduction efforts to maximize overall well-being?” This question guides the development of nine supporting argument sentences, each on a separate slide, forming a logical progression in the presentation. These sentences will focus solely on the ethical dimensions of the issue, remaining free from personal, political, religious, or economic biases.

The visual component involves sourcing public domain images to illustrate each point, with proper APA citations placed directly underneath each image. The use of visuals aims to reinforce the moral arguments, making complex ethical considerations more accessible. The notes section of each slide is used to articulate the key sentence in a detailed manner, echoing written academic argumentation, thus turning the presentation into an ethical paper in slideshow form.

Overall, the objective is to demonstrate how ethical theories provide moral clarity and guide responsible decision-making regarding environmental challenges, emphasizing the moral principles, virtues, or duties that underpin actions or policies. The final product must be methodologically rigorous, ethically focused, visually engaging, and properly referenced, aligning with academic standards of ethics and environmental responsibility.

References

• Earley, P. (2019). Environmental Justice: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Fisher, A. (2013). Decolonizing Ecological Rationality: An Ethical Framework for Climate Change. Ethics & Environment, 18(2), 135-147.
• Leopold, A. (1949). A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Schweiker, W. (2005). Virtue Ethics and the Environment: The Role of Moral Character. Environmental Ethics, 27(1), 1-16.
• Schlosberg, D. (2007). Defining Environmental Justice: Theories, Movements, and Nature. Oxford University Press.
• Taylor, P. W. (1986). Respect for Nature: A Theory of Environmental Ethics. Princeton University Press.
• Yusoff, K. (2019). Geopolitics of Climate Change and Natural Resources. Routledge.