Assignment:
Applied Ethics
Overview
You chose a concrete moral question, identified three ethically significant issues that pertain to that question, and constructed a thesis statement that articulated your position on that question. In the Week Three Assignment, you discussed either deontological or utilitarian theory, applied that theory to the topic, and raised a relevant objection.
By engaging with the course material, you now have had a chance to refine your thinking and broaden your understanding of the issue by approaching it from the perspective of multiple ethical theories.
In this paper, you will demonstrate what you have learned by writing an essay in which you
• Present a revised thesis statement on the question you are discussing.
• Identify, explain, and apply the core principles of at least two ethical theories to draw specific moral conclusions about the question you are discussing.
• Present your own reasoning on the question you are discussing and explain which of the ethical theories best supports your own view on the issue.
Instructions
Create an essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper should be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:
1. Introduction (150 to 200 words):
o Your first paragraph should introduce the topic by briefly and precisely discussing the concrete problem or question that you will be addressing, including a brief preview of the ethically significant issues that make this question important. This should draw upon your work in the Week One Assignment, but should be more succinct and reflect the development of your understanding of those ideas throughout the course.
o Conclude your introductory paragraph with the revised statement of your thesis, and a brief description of the primary reason(s) supporting your position. (If you changed topics, you will need to repeat the exercises from the Week One Assignment, including using the Thesis Generator from the Ashford Writing Center. Please see the notes and guidelines for more on this).
2. Application of Two Ethical Theories (1000 to 1200 words):
This section of the Final Paper consists in explaining and applying the core principles of two ethical theories to the question or problem you have chosen. One of these theories may be the theory you used in your Week Three Assignment, but your discussion here should be more refined and should identify the specific moral conclusions(s) that result when the theory is applied to the question or problem you are addressing.
For each of the theories you are considering, you should
a. Explain the core principles or features of the theory and the general account of moral behavior it provides.
b. Explain how these principles or features apply to the problem or question under consideration and identify the specific moral conclusion that results when these theories are applied to that problem or question.
A specific moral conclusion is a statement that takes a moral stance on the issue at hand. For example, if you're discussing the question, "Is the death penalty moral?" a discussion that identifies and applies the core principles of utilitarian theory might yield the specific conclusion that the death penalty is moral because it ensures the greatest good for the greatest number. Applying virtue ethics might conclude that the death penalty exhibits the vice of cruelty, or a deontological theory might worry that it fails to treat the criminal as an end-in-itself.
(Note: These are just examples; you may not write on the death penalty, nor is it necessarily the case that each theory would lead to the conclusion mentioned).
For purpose of this assignment, it's best if you explain its core principles and moral conclusion(s) and apply one theory first and then turn to the second theory. This section of the paper should be approximately 1000 to 1200 words (500 to 600 words for each theory application).
Evaluation (150 to 300 words):
In this section of the paper, you should explain which ethical theory you think presents the most persuasive moral argument on this question and why. Then briefly address a common objection to that argument that you have not yet considered in the main part of your paper, and provide a concise response to that objection.
o For example, if you were writing on capital punishment, you might think that a utilitarian argument that defends position X is most persuasive. You would then raise an objection against a utilitarian defense of position X, and defend that view against the objection.
Conclusion (150 to 300 words):
Provide a conclusion that sums up what you presented in the paper and offer some final reflections, including a revised statement of the thesis (do not simply repeat your thesis, but rephrase it in light of the discussion you just presented).
Resource Requirement:
You should use at least four resources. Two of the resources should be drawn from the list of acceptable resources on each of the two theories you discuss. For example, if you write on deontology and virtue ethics, you would need at least one resource under the "Deontology" list, and at least one resource under the "Virtue Ethics" list. The other two may be from either the Required or Recommended Resources lists, or from the Ashford University Library.
• If you need help with finding additional resources, or are unsure about whether a particular resource will count toward the requirement, please contact your instructor.
• The textbook does not count toward the resource requirement.
• Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.
The Ashford Writing Center (AWC) has two kinds of tutoring available to you.
• Email Paper Review - If you have a draft, partial draft, or even if you're having trouble getting started, you can complete a submission form and email your paper to the AWC for review.
o Writing Tutors will do their best to return your paper with their comments within 48 hours, not including Saturdays and Sundays. Please plan accordingly if you would like to receive feedback before an assignment due date. AWC Email Paper Review
Just War/Military Ethics (Weeks Three and Four)
• What are some circumstances that would make a war just or unjust?
• What are some controversial reasons nations have gone to war, contemplated going to war, or refrained from going to war? Were they justified?
• Are there ways of conducting a war that should be defended as just or opposed as unjust?
• Thinking of some specific technology such as drone weapons, nuclear weapons, or chemical and biological weapons, is its use justified? When would it not be justified?
• Consider various methods of war such as carpet bombing, targeting of civilians or intentionally killing non-combatants, using human shields, the use of blockades, sanctions, and other means of preventing basic good from reaching the enemy civilians. When would one of these be justified or unjustified?
• Are there forms of treatment of suspected enemy combatants, such as torture, imprisonment without trial, warrantless surveillance, etc., that should never be done? Why or why not?
• Is it justified to violate the normal rights of one's own citizens to ensure the safety of the country?
• What kinds of virtues do persons in the military need?
• What sorts of behavior might those virtues require?
• What sorts of behavior would be contrary to those virtues?
• Are there times when a soldier's virtues and/or duties may conflict?
• How should a soldier act in such circumstances?
• Should a soldier disobey an immoral or unjust command?
• What policies should the military have in place to respond to such conflicts?
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
1. Should be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Should include a title page with the following:
a. Title of paper
b. Student's name
c. Course name and number
d. Instructor's name
e. Date submitted
3. Should begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Should address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Should end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Should use at least four resources.
7. Should document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Should include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.