Applied Essaywritten in two stages. Write an argument, a problem-solving argument, written in two stages, including two normative theories and your evaluation of them in terms of an issue from chs. 10, 14, or 20: Euthanasia, Economic Justice, or Global Justice. No additional sources are required, but if they are used, they must be properly documented in MLA style. When citing from our textbook, no works cited page is needed; however, students should continue to introduce sources as they learned to do in writing paragraphs for discussion. First, identify a problem presented in your textbook on one of these issues. It takes time to write a good body paragraph that fully describes an ethical problem. Good descriptive skills are required. Second, consider the main parts of the normative theory you are using to solve the problem, for instance principles of self-interest, consequences for a group, duties and obligations, or care and additional virtues. Make those principles fit into the different sections of your essay. Step three is to recall that part of an academic argument is counter-argument. Consider how another theory would argue for a different solution and why. Now, you are ready to return to the debate with a re-phrased thesis. Again, I recommend developing a thesis that focuses on a single normative theory that argues the way a single normative theory would solve the problem presented chosen. Then use a contrasting theory as counterargument. For instance, the thesis could examine the issue of active euthanasia from the point of view of virtue ethics with a contrasting paragraph on deontological ethics considering the same issue. The essay concludes looking at the diversity of ethical beliefs and living responsibly, so after that re-stated thesis, return to the so what? factor and show how what you have written is relevant to people today as they consider the ethical problem you have explored.
Evaluating Paper 1
Paper 1 will receive full points for having a thesis, being 3-4 pages in MLA format, on an issue related to chapters 10, 14, or 20. This essay is a draft, but should be spell-checked and prepared for an academic audience, in third person and sometimes first person, when appropriate, but without using the second person, informal pronouns of you or your that directly address readers.
I prepared a seven-minute video where I discuss writing this paper: