In This Course You Have Looked At Classical Ethical Theories ✓ Solved
In This Course You Have Looked At Classical Ethical Theories Of Utili
In this course, you have looked at classical ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. You have also examined different perspectives on ethical issues introduced by relativism, ethical egoism, and emotivism. For this paper, you will apply these theories and perspectives to a current issue. Choose an ethical issue to write about. You may choose from the list below, or, with approval from the instructor, select a different socially-relevant topic.
It is recommended that you choose a topic that you are familiar with or that you have some interest in exploring further. For the purposes of this paper, your topic should pertain to a current area of interest in the news and/or government policy forums. Possible Issues include corporate executive compensation, corporate contributions to political campaigns, human trafficking, mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex, the media and their responsibilities, domestic surveillance, whistleblowing in government or in a business, religion in the workplace, ethical problems of gambling, progressive taxation rates, immigration reform in the U.S. and/or abroad, women’s equality.
In your paper, you will apply ethical theories and perspectives to the issue that you select. You do not have to use all six, but you should apply at least two ethical theories and at least one ethical perspective in your paper. Make sure that you write primarily on ethical topics and concepts, aiming to be both balanced and intellectually driven in your work. You may share your personal views, but do not rely on opinions (yours or those offered by others) to make your case. Think about the evidence that helps to make your case and use it. Address the following questions: What are the ethical issues? Where are there breaches of ethical behavior? How could each ethical theory you cite help people think about what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior?
Your draft must include at least three pages of text plus a title page and a references page. Your draft should include a clear thesis statement that states what you plan to argue. It should also explain how you intend to develop the final paper and include a list of the sources you intend to use. You can also use the Sociology Research Guide located in the Ashford University Library. Format your rough draft according to APA style and properly cite and reference all your sources according to APA format. If you would like to refer to APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab in the left navigation bar of your online course.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Title: Ethical Analysis of Corporate Contributions to Political Campaigns
Introduction and Thesis Statement: This paper explores the ethical implications of corporate contributions to political campaigns, evaluating the issue through the lenses of utilitarianism and deontology while considering the relativist perspective. The central argument posits that corporate political donations raise significant ethical concerns regarding transparency, influence, and equality, which can be better understood through these ethical frameworks.
Background and Ethical Issues: Corporate contributions to political campaigns have become a contentious issue in recent years, particularly regarding the influence of wealth on political processes and decision-making. Ethical breaches include potential corruption, unequal influence among different economic classes, and undermining democratic principles. These practices challenge notions of fairness and accountability in governance.
Application of Ethical Theories: Utilizing utilitarianism, one would assess whether corporate donations result in the greatest good for the greatest number. If donations lead to policies benefitting society broadly, they may be justified; however, when they favor corporate interests at the expense of public welfare, they are unethical. Deontology emphasizes duty and adherence to rules; companies and politicians have a duty to uphold transparency and integrity, making covert or excessive donations ethically problematic.
From the relativist perspective, ethical judgments depend on cultural and societal norms. In some contexts, corporate donations might be deemed acceptable, whereas in others, they violate community standards of fairness and integrity. Recognizing these differences is vital in forming comprehensive ethical evaluations.
Final Analysis and Development plan: The paper will develop by analyzing specific case studies of corporate political donations, evaluating their ethical dimensions through these frameworks, and suggesting policy measures to address unethical practices. Sources will include academic articles on corporate ethics, reports on political financing, and foundational texts on utilitarianism and deontology.
References
- Bradley, M. (2018). Corporate influence and political ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(2), 523-534.
- Johnson, D. G. (2016). Ethics in public administration. Routledge.
- Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. (translated by Mary Gregor, 2002). Cambridge University Press.
- Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
- Smith, K. (2019). Campaign finance and ethical implications. Political Science Quarterly, 134(3), 465-480.
- Southwell, D. (2017). Ethical perspectives on corporate political donations. Business and Society, 56(4), 600-620.
- Warren, M. (2015). Relativism and ethics: An overview. Ethics & Society, 92(1), 35-45.
- Williams, B. (2014). Problems of the self: Ethical theory and your personal life. Cambridge University Press.
- Vallario, J. (2020). The influence of money in politics. Journal of Political Science, 48(2), 145-160.
- Yudice, G. (2010). Culture and ethics: Contemporary issues. Routledge.