Ethics | Literature homework help

The main purpose of this paper is not to produce an essay. The main purpose is
to do some slow, careful, open-minded philosophical thinking on a complex
ethical topic. This thinking will result in an essay, but that’s only because you are
using the essay as a tool for thinking. Your goal should be the slow, careful
thinking, not the polished essay at the end.

So, here’s what you should do in your paper:

1. Find a perplexity. Try to find some genuine question or perplexity. Root
your paper in a felt question discussed in the course materials, or that
came to your mind as you were engaging the materials–a problem that
matters to you, an itch that itches you. If you feel an ethical conclusion
is obvious (e.g., that abortion is morally permissible or impermissible),
then don’t focus on that. Focus instead on a question you find
perplexing. For example, if you think it’s obvious that abortion is
morally permissible, why do smart, well-informed, rational people
disagree with you? This is only one example. The important thing is that
you focus on a question that really grips you.

2. Do some thinking. Having found a perplexity, use your paper to do some
figuring-out. Make some intellectual gears turn. Your response needs to
move or go somewhere–it needs to have a line of thinking. And that line
of thinking should go deep enough to connect into some general ethical
principles or concepts.

3. Engage with the course materials. While I want to see you do some
thinking, it shouldn’t be entirely on your own. After all, other people
have thought about these issues too, and it makes sense to learn
others’ thoughts, try to understand them, and critically engage with
them. It should be clear from your paper that you have spent time
working through the course materials on your topic.

Don’t let the first two conditions scare you. I don’t ask that your paper be always
tidy, well organized, and perfectly unified. I care more about working through the
question than about finding a neat answer. It’s okay if your responses have some
loose ends, some signs of struggle. But lack of unity or clarity needs to reflect
effort, not lack of effort.

For ideas on different kinds of thinking, check out the Types of Thinking page in
the course toolbox.

Topics

You are welcome to write on any of the topics we’ve covered since Paper 1. This
includes Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, abortion, different theories
of justice, racial justice, etc.

Paper Structure

Like any paper, there should be a brief introduction and conclusion. The
introduction should contain a thesis statement that summarizes your main
conclusions. Other than this, you can structure your paper however you like. If
you’re feeling unsure how to do it, here are some suggestions.

Focus on a specific argument or paper

Pick one scholarly paper or argument we’ve studied as your main focal point.
Choose one that you found interesting, or confusing, or irritating, or somehow
perplexed you. Begin by explaining the paper or the argument in detail, using
examples to illustrate the main points. For example, you could explain David
Velleman on self-termination, or James Rachel on active vs. passive euthanasia,
or Judith Thomson or Don Marquis abortion, or one of the theories of justice we
studied, or Ibram Kendi on racism and racial disparities.

Second, critically discuss the paper or argument. This could include discussing
what you see as its strong points and also its weak points. Does the author
ultimately make a good case for their conclusion? State your view on this and
give reasons for your opinion. Are you undecided? Explain exactly why. As you
critically discuss it, engage with other course materials. Here’s one example of
how you can weave in other sources: “David Velleman argues that we don’t have
the right of self-termination, because _____. An act-utilitarian would disagree with
him, because _____. I think the utilitarian response fails because ______, but I
still think Velleman is wrong, because ______.”

Focus on a general topic or question

This structure has a similar “explain and discuss” format, but your focus is wider.
Instead of focusing on a particular paper or argument, focus on a topic or
question that grips you. Explain the topic or question, and explain why people
disagree about it. Are they disagreeing on facts? on how to interpret facts? If so,
which ones? Are they disagreeing on underlying moral principles? If so, which
ones? Are they disagreeing on how to apply moral principles? Then explain in

detail one or two perspectives on this topic from the course materials you read.
Lastly, explain your own view and exactly how it relates to the perspective you
already explained. It’s always good to begin by describing points of agreement
and common ground, and then to explain where you disagree, and why you
disagree.

Apply a normative theory

Pick one of the topics we’ve studied since Paper 2. Explain the topic and why
people disagree about the topic. Then choose one of the normative theories
we’ve studied (utilitarianism, Kantianism, virtue theory) and explain how it applies
to the topic. To do this well, describe several different kinds of cases, and talk
through how the theory applies to each case. For example, if you chose to focus
on physician-assisted suicide, you could use the case of Brittany Maynard and
the hypothetical case of Rosa. The goal here is to explore how the theory applies
in cases that are significantly different from each other.

Research Requirements
For a Satisfactory grade:

You will need to engage with and cite at least three (3) sources. One can be a
lecture video, but two must be scholarly philosophical papers on your topic. This
will help you contextualize your own argument within scholarly discussion that
has already taken place. You have already read scholarly papers on each of the
topics we’ve studied. If you need additional sources, please first check the
optional readings pages in each unit. If you wish to use a reading not listed on
that page, please consult with me in advance.

For an Advanced grade:

You will need to engage with and cite at least four (4) sources. One can be a
lecture video, but three must be scholarly philosophical papers on your topic.
Again, If you need additional sources, please first check the optional readings
pages in each unit. If you wish to use a reading not listed on that page, please
consult with me in advance.

For either grade:

How you engage the sources is up to you. Here are some examples:

1. Use arguments from one of the authors to support your view.
Make sure you give proper credit to that author, and cite the
source clearly.

2. Clarify your own view by explaining exactly how it is similar
and/or different from the view of one of the authors.

3. Use arguments from one of the authors as the objection to
your own view.

Length & Other Requirements
Word Count: 700 words minimum for Satisfactory, 1000 words minimum for
Advanced. Longer is fine, but don’t add words just to “pad” your essay. More
words should reflect more thinking.

Format: Please use 12pt font and 1-inch margins.

Structure: Use section headings. I recommend using sections that correspond to
the prompt above. Also, use paragraph breaks: one main thought per paragraph.
This makes your paper easier to understand. Use as many paragraphs as you
need in each section.

Citations: Include a citation anytime you reference someone else’s words or ideas
(this includes paraphrasing someone else). Also include a corresponding
bibliography or “Works Cited” list. I don’t care which citation style you use. Just
make sure your citation style is clear and consistent, and provides enough detail
so I can find the exact quote or passage. For example, citations to a text should
always include a page number, and citations to a video should always include a
timestamp. The full reference information in the Works Cited list should include
the author name, title, publication info, and a link if it’s an online source.

Audience: Imagine you are writing your essay for one of your friends who has not
taken a philosophy class. Define all technical terms and use plenty of examples.
Try to be so clear that your writing is impossible to misunderstand.

Style: Much academic writing is written impersonally–like it was produced by a
machine rather than a person. Don’t write like that. Instead, write in your own
voice. Feel free to refer to yourself with the word “I”. Keep your words and
sentences simple and clear. Use examples to illustrate and support your claims.

Process Letter Instructions
After you finish your draft, write a letter to your readers about the writing process
so far. Include this letter in the same file as your draft. Your process letter should
be the first page(s), and then start your draft on a new page.

Write this as a letter to your classmates who will be reading your draft.. For
example, begin with “Dear Reader.”

Next, please state which grade you are aiming for.

Next, you should respond to some or all of these questions: What do you see as
your main points? Tell me the story of how you went about writing and what it
was like for you in process? How did you get your ideas? What were some of the
choices you made? Which parts went well or badly? Were there any surprises?
Are there specific parts of your paper you’d like us (your readers) to give special
attention, or do you want specific kinds of feedback?

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