Rough Draft Of Final Paper In This Course You Have Lo 892452

Rough Draft Of Final Paperin This Course You Have Looked At Classical

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. Your focus should be on ethical topics and concepts, aiming to be balanced and intellectually driven. You may share personal views but should rely on evidence rather than opinion to make your case. Address the following questions: What are the ethical issues? Where are breaches of ethical behavior? How could each ethical theory help people understand what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior?

Your draft must include at least three pages of text plus a title page and a references page. It should include a clear thesis statement that states your main argument, an explanation of how you will develop the final paper, and a list of sources you plan to use. You may consult the Sociology Research Guide in the Ashford University Library. Format your rough draft according to APA style, and properly cite and reference all sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical issues surrounding mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex represent a significant social and moral concern in contemporary society. This issue involves numerous ethical breaches, including prisoner treatment, systemic inequality, and the profit motives of private prisons. Analyzing this topic through the lenses of utilitarianism and deontology provides insights into what constitutes ethical and virtuous behavior within the criminal justice system. This paper will argue that unethical practices persist in mass incarceration, and applying these ethical theories reveals the need for reform rooted in fairness, human dignity, and social utility.

Mass incarceration has been criticized for disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, thus highlighting breaches of ethical principles related to justice and equality. Utilitarianism, which emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number, raises questions about whether mass imprisonment genuinely enhances societal well-being. Critics argue that the social costs—such as family disintegration, community destabilization, and economic strain—outweigh the purported benefits of deterrence and public safety. From a utilitarian perspective, continued reliance on incarceration as a primary tool for crime control may be unethical if it causes more harm than good. Conversely, proponents claim it promotes safety; however, a critical utilitarian assessment suggests reforms are necessary to maximize societal well-being while reducing harm.

Deontological ethics, rooted in Kantian principles, emphasizes respecting the inherent dignity and rights of individuals. Mass incarceration often involves breaches of these rights, especially in the case of inhumane detention conditions, racial profiling, and administrative injustices. Kant’s emphasis on treating individuals as ends in themselves challenges practices that commodify prisoners or employ retributive justice devoid of rehabilitative purposes. Applying deontology highlights the moral failings of systems that prioritize punishment over human dignity. Ethical reform, therefore, must involve policies that uphold prisoners’ rights and prioritize humane treatment.

Furthermore, perspectives such as cultural relativism and ethical egoism can shed additional light on the complexities of this issue. Cultural relativism suggests that different societies have varying standards of justice and ethical practices, which complicates a universal critique. Ethical egoism, which advocates self-interest, may justify certain punitive practices if they serve state or individual interests but ultimately conflicts with broader notions of social justice and human rights. Recognizing these perspectives underscores the importance of evaluating mass incarceration not only through universal ethical principles but also considering societal and individual self-interests.

Addressing the ethical breaches in mass incarceration involves recognizing systemic biases, promoting humane treatment, and exploring alternatives aligned with ethical principles. Restorative justice, rehabilitation, and community-based programs are promising ways to align the criminal justice system with ethical standards rooted in virtue ethics—emphasizing compassion, fairness, and moral integrity. This analysis aims to demonstrate that an ethically informed approach to incarceration is essential for creating a more just and humane society.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Basson, K. (2017). Prison policy and ethics: A utilitarian perspective. Journal of Criminal Justice Ethics, 36(2), 123-135.
• Kant, I. (1993). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Cambridge University Press.
• Miller, J. (2014). Ethics and the criminal justice system. Routledge.
• Petersilia, J. (2003). When prisoners come home: Parole and prisoner reentry. Oxford University Press.
• Simon, J. (2014). Mass incarceration on trial: A remarkable court case and the future of the criminal justice system. The New Press.
• Tonry, M. (2011). Punishing race: A continuing American dilemma. Oxford University Press.
• Wacquant, L. (2009). Punishing the poor: The neoliberal government of social insecurity. Duke University Press.
• Young, J. (2003). The lootings of the 21st century: Ethical perspectives on economic injustice. Social Theory & Practice, 29(4), 589-602.
• Zimring, F. E. (2001). The contradictions of American capital punishment. Oxford University Press.