Basic
assignment:
Write a 4-5 page (typed, double-spaced) paper explaining and supporting your
position on one of the issues we have (or will have) discussed in this
course. (If you wrote about hunger,
capital punishment or euthanasia in your first paper, choose a different topic
for this one.)
Some
guidelines:
1.
Be
sure that the question or issue your paper is addressing is clear and well
focused.
2. Be sure that you have provided a clear statement of your position on that issue (or your answer to that question). Be careful to explain any technical terms you use and to try to distinguish your position from other similar positions with which it might be confused.
3.
Taking a position is not the same thing (necessarily) as taking a
side. You may find yourself wanting to
stake out a "middle ground" position.
Or your position may be that no definite opinion on your topic can be
adequately defended. Any position is
O.K. as long as it is clearly explained and carefully reasoned.
4.
In addition to explaining what you
think, your paper should contain reasons why you take the position you
do. Your main job is to explain why a
reasonable person should agree with the opinion or position you are expressing.
5.
Whatever your position is, there will be
other points of view on the issue or topic you are discussing. So, include in your paper at least one
statement of an objection to your view and a reply to that objection. How might someone who disagreed with you
criticize your argument? And how can you
respond to that criticism? (Statements
and replies to several objections would be even better.)
Sample questions:
1.
What, if anything, is a society obligated
to do to improve the lives of its poorer members?
2.
Are some virtues non-relative, i.e.,
necessary to any person who wants to leas a good life, regardless of cultural
differences? Or are virtues always
relative to one’s time and place?
3.
When, if ever, are abortions morally
justifiable?
4.
What rules, if any, should restrict
women’s right to choose to obtain an abortion?
5.
Should gay and lesbian couples have the
right to get married?
6.
Is there anything wrong (ethically
speaking) with being a consumer of pornography?
(Is regular consumption of pornography a vice?)
7.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing if
pornography is freely available and/or widely enjoyed in our society?
8.
Should pornography (or some kinds of
pornography) be censored or banned?
9. Is an “ethic of care” needed to correct
the male bias of mainstream ethical theory?