What’s Good? Ethics and Ethical Reasoning
Instructions for the primary essay (rubric attached): 1. What’s Good? Ethics & Ethical Reasoning (Mackinnonn & Fiala chapters 1-4): According to the majority of thinkers explored in our textbook, is there a “right” and “wrong”? If so, what defines right and wrong? Is morality universal? Culturally determined? Relative? Does the Golden Rule, The Categorical Imperative, the Eightfold Path, the 5 Pillars, and/or the Ten Commandments cover it? What would you add, delete, or change to the Philosophers’ theories if you could? Focus on one Philosopher’s theories in your paper, at length (Kant, Mill, or Aristotle highly recommended). Choose at least one end-of-chapter reading from Mackinnon and Fiala to include in your paper. Also for the first and second page, single spaced, here are the instructions for page 1 (750 words): For this second (of three) Discussion Board assignment(s), Study Chapter 7: Natural Law & Human Rights, Chapter 8: Virtue Ethics, Chapter 10: Euthanasia, and Chapter 11: Abortion. Choose THREE of these assigned chapters and then identify in your essay the 3 most important points made by MacKinnon and Fiala in EACH of these THREE chapters you’ve chosen. This means 9 TOTAL important points. So, you might choose to write about chapters 8, 10, and 11. From chapter 8, the most important point might be at the end of the chapter! That’s okay, start there and then list the other 2 most important points made in chapter 8, even if they’re out of order! This tells Prof Starr that you gave the chapter lots of good thought! Lastly, briefly summarize the conclusion (in other words, the main point made toward the end) of TWO out of the 3 assigned videos — find them in Materials >> Content. (They’re in Module 7, Module 8, and 1 video is linked in a Module that covers Chapters 10 & 11 combined.)To clarify: You are assigned in DB #2 to identify the three most important points made in each chapter (once again, you’re choosing ONLY 3 chapters this time around). But some rough drafts I’ve seen – too many, in fact, just start right in listing key points without numbering them or providing any kind of priority. It is as though students feel stuck presenting the points in the order they appear. But often the strongest (and perhaps controversial) points are made in the conclusion to a lengthy chapter. So, you should list that particular point first as THE most important. Then, move on to the second most important point, with direct quotes and page numbers. etc. Then finish with the third. Number them! First, Second, and Third. Instructions for page 2 (600 words): The Ethical Dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. What is best? What have we – as a species, not merely at the national level – done well? What have we not done well? What is the most important Ethics issue at hand? If you had to choose John Stuart Mill or Immanuel Kant to lead the next phase of our response to COVID-19, which one would you choose? Why? Please be specific. Would you prefer a Utilitarian like Mill, who puts the needs of the many before the needs of the one… or would you prefer a Duty Ethicist like Kant who refuses to allow for any exceptions to the rule? This assignment has no direct quote requirement from MacKinnon & Fiala. But it does need to be as academically rigorous as you can manage.
