Paper Assignment Information For Your Paper

Paper Assignment Informationpaperfor Thetopicof Your Paper

For the topic of your paper, you must select one of the following DISCUSSION CASES from your text as the issue focus for your paper: "Defining Marriage," "Women in Combat," "Imprisonment," or "Animal Experimentation."

There are two parts to your paper assignment: First, select ONE moral theory studied in this course (see chapters 3-6, 8, 9). From the perspective of this chosen theory, answer the discussion case questions provided in the textbook for the case you selected. Explain how key components of the theory relate to your chosen issue and how they would inform your responses to the questions.

Second, provide a personal evaluation of this theory’s approach to the issue. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses you perceive in this ethical framework regarding this issue. Do you agree or disagree with its moral recommendations? Justify your position with reasoning and examples.

Your paper should be three full pages long, double-spaced, using standard font size (10-12), with one-inch margins. Include your name at the beginning of the paper. Do not number the questions; instead, integrate your answers into a cohesive essay.

Paper For Above instruction

The critical task of this paper is to analyze a specific moral issue through the lens of an ethical theory previously studied, and then to critically evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of that theory's approach. This involves a comprehensive understanding of the selected theory’s principles as well as a balanced reflection on its practical implications.

Selection of a Moral Theory

The student must start by selecting one moral theory from the course materials, such as utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue ethics, or any other relevant framework covered in chapters 3 through 6, 8, and 9. Each of these theories provides a different perspective on what constitutes moral rightness and wrongness, and their application to real-world issues varies significantly.

Application to a Discussion Case

Once a theory is chosen, the next step is to apply its principles to the selected case study—either “Defining Marriage,” “Women in Combat,” “Imprisonment,” or “Animal Experimentation.” The textbook poses various questions or concerns pertaining to each case, which are to be addressed from the viewpoint of the selected ethical framework. For example, a utilitarian might focus on the consequences and overall happiness or suffering involved, while a Kantian deontologist might emphasize duties, rights, and adherence to moral rules.

It is essential to explain key components of the chosen theory and explicitly relate these principles to the issue at hand. This process involves analyzing how the theory’s core concepts—such as maximizing happiness, respecting autonomy, or cultivating virtues—would guide moral judgment and decision-making in the specific scenario.

Personal Evaluation and Critical Reflection

The second component requires a personal critique of the theory’s application to the issue. This involves identifying the strengths—such as clarity, consistency, or consideration of moral duties—and weaknesses—such as potential rigidity, neglect of emotional aspects, or cultural biases. The student should argue whether they agree with the moral recommendations derived from this framework, providing thoughtful justification and examples.

Ultimately, the goal is to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of ethical theories and to develop a well-reasoned personal stance regarding their practical effectiveness and moral appropriateness in dealing with complex moral dilemmas.

Format and Submission

The final paper should be three pages long, double-spaced, using standard font sizes (10-12) and one-inch margins. The applicant's name must appear at the top of the document. This paper should be written as a cohesive, continuous essay—without question numbering—and should seamlessly integrate analysis and personal critique into a unified narrative.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Crane, T. (2013). Elements of moral philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett Publishing.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Ross, W. D. (1930). The right and the good. Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. L. (2002). Moral emotions and moral behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1), 375-399.
• Waller, A. (2005). Virtue ethics. Routledge.
• Williams, B. (1973). Moral luck and moral responsibility. In Moral luck and other essays (pp. 20-39). Cambridge University Press.
• Yong, C. (2014). Ethical decision making in health care. Routledge.