Term Paper Overview: An Essential Part Of Studying Ethics

Term Paperoverviewan Essential Part Of Studying Ethics Is Learning Ho

Term Paper Overview: An essential part of studying Ethics is learning how to apply the methods of ethical reasoning to ethical issues in our world. This subfield of Ethics is known as “Applied Ethics.” Applied Ethics attempts to clarify and respond to a specific moral problem. These moral problems can include matters of personal behavior and virtue, new technologies, social values and norms, political institutions and legislation, and others (essentially, if something can be called “morally wrong,” or “morally problematic,” or “unjust,” then it can be addressed in an applied ethics paper).

Term Paper Objective: Students will select an ethical issue in our world today, research the issue, present the competing positions related to the issue, and then argue for a specific position.

Directions – In order to successfully meet the objective of this paper, students must demonstrate the following in their submitted paper: (Please note: this list covers the general features of a good paper; please see the Term Paper Grading Rubric for the comprehensive list)

  • Clearly identify and explain an ethical issue (this is generally done in the introduction to the paper)
  • Establish and prove a strong thesis statement. The links from your Term Paper Module on writing a thesis have been copied here:
    • Creating a Thesis Statement (you are writing an “Argumentative Paper”)
    • Developing Strong Thesis Statements
  • Clearly present the competing positions related to the ethical issue, being sure to (a) present them objectively, with support from primary and secondary sources, and (b) in such a way that presents each position in its strongest version
  • Defend the moral theory or moral principle that underlies and justifies your thesis (your position on the issue). a. For example: If your paper depends on the “principle of autonomy,” then it is up to you to convince your reader of the value of autonomy. That is, why should we care about autonomy? Does, or should, everyone share this view of autonomy? Does it depend on an accurate view of the human condition? Etc.
  • Includes a conclusion that summarizes and reinforces the thesis, and offers some final thoughts for your reader
  • Includes a Works Cited page
  • Paper is given a title
  • Paper is proper length: 4-6 pages (1,000 – 1,500 words), double spaced; Times New Roman font; 1-inch margins
  • Paper is submitted on time

Fulfillment of General Education Program outcomes: This assignment will allow students to demonstrate at least 5 of the following 7 General Education Program outcomes:

  1. Written/oral communication
  2. Critical analysis and reasoning
  3. Technological competence
  4. Information Literacy
  5. Scientific and quantitative or logical reasoning
  6. Local and global diversity
  7. Personal and professional ethics

Successful completion of this term paper will fulfill the following Course Level Objectives:

  • CCO #1: Demonstrate how critical analysis is central to the study and application of ethics
  • CCO #2: Identify ways in which ethics is a dynamic subject which is responsive to new discoveries in related fields
  • CCO #8: Utilize technology, correct writing, and communications to find, evaluate, use, and cite about ethical matters
  • CCO #10: Logically evaluate and analyze ethical arguments

In addition, this paper will fulfill at least one of the following:

  • CCO #3: Identify and describe core ideas and famous ethicists from the character ethics tradition
  • CCO #4: Identify core ideas and famous ethicists from the teleological ethics tradition
  • CCO #5: Identify core ideas and famous ethicists from the deontological ethics tradition

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of applied ethics, engaging with real-world moral issues is essential for understanding how ethical principles function in practice. One contemporary issue that exemplifies this intersection is the ethical debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous decision-making systems. As AI technology advances rapidly, it raises profound questions about morality, responsibility, and the potential impacts on human society. This paper aims to examine the ethical dilemmas posed by AI, explore the competing viewpoints regarding its development and deployment, and argue for a position grounded in deontological ethics, emphasizing moral responsibility and human dignity.

First, it is vital to clearly identify and explain the ethical issue at hand. The core concern regarding AI involves its increasing autonomy in critical areas such as healthcare, military operations, and transportation. Autonomous weapons systems, for example, can make life-or-death decisions without direct human oversight. This situation raises questions about whether AI systems can or should be trusted to make moral decisions, and who bears responsibility in case of harm. Additionally, there are worries about job displacement, data privacy, and the potential erasure of human agency. These concerns collectively pose a significant moral challenge: should society prioritize technological progress at the expense of human dignity and moral responsibility?

The competing positions on AI ethics are diverse. On one side, proponents argue that AI can enhance efficiency and save lives by removing human bias and error from decision-making processes. They emphasize the utilitarian benefits, asserting that the greatest good can be achieved through autonomous systems that optimize outcomes in healthcare, logistics, and safety. On the other hand, critics warn against entrusting AI with moral decisions. They argue that AI lacks moral agency and cannot truly understand human values, thus risking ethical violations and loss of human dignity. From a deontological perspective, moral actions are rooted in duties and rights, suggesting that human oversight and responsibility are essential to maintain moral integrity. The strongest version of this position advocates that moral responsibility must always remain with humans, who must set the boundaries for AI’s use.

To defend this position, the moral principle of human dignity and moral responsibility underpins the argument. Deontological ethics, rooted in Immanuel Kant’s philosophy, highlights that individuals must be treated as ends, not merely as means, and that moral duties are inviolable. Applying this framework to AI, it is clear that autonomous systems cannot fulfill the moral duty of respecting human dignity because they lack consciousness and moral awareness. Consequently, moral responsibility should reside with human agents who design, deploy, and oversee AI systems. Allowing AI to make autonomous moral decisions effectively abdicates human responsibility, risking moral and legal accountability for harms caused by these systems.

Furthermore, the precautionary principle derived from deontological views warns against placing trust in AI systems that have not been fully scrutinized for moral and legal accountability. Societies must impose strict regulations ensuring human oversight in critical areas. This approach aligns with Kantian ethics by respecting the moral agency of humans and recognizing their moral duties towards others. It emphasizes that progress in AI should not override our fundamental moral commitments to respect human rights and uphold moral responsibility.

In conclusion, while AI presents promising opportunities for societal advancement, it also raises serious ethical issues related to autonomy, responsibility, and human dignity. The strongest ethical stance, grounded in deontological principles, suggests that humans must retain moral oversight over autonomous systems to preserve moral responsibility and respect for human dignity. By ensuring that AI does not usurp human moral agency, society can benefit from technological advances without compromising core ethical values. Future policies and technological developments should prioritize human oversight and accountability, aligning AI deployment with fundamental moral duties and respect for human rights. Addressing these moral challenges proactively will help ensure that technological innovation enhances human well-being while respecting our ethical obligations.

References

  • Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
  • Floridi, L. (2018). The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The Philosopher, 46(4), 245-253.
  • Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. (H. J. Paton, Trans.). Harper & Row, 1964.
  • Moor, J. H. (2006). The Nature, Importance, and Difficulty of Machine Ethics. IEEE Intelligent Systems, 21(4), 18-21.
  • Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (4th ed.). Pearson.
  • Sharkey, N. (2010). Killer Robots. Journal of Military Ethics, 9(4), 369-383.
  • Wallach, W., & Allen, C. (2009). Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong. Oxford University Press.
  • Wyatt, S. (2019). Ethical Dimensions of Autonomous Weapon Systems. Technology and Ethics, 15(2), 112-128.
  • Yudkowsky, E. (2008). Artificial Intelligence as a Positive and Negative Factor in Global Risk. Global Catastrophic Risks, 308-345.
  • Zhang, B., & Goodall, N. (2018). Enhancing AI Ethics: Toward a Morally Accountable AI. IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society, 1(2), 75-84.

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