AN ETHICAL ISSUE: Snyder’s Excellent Essay and Presentation Assignment
Name:
Issue:
Philosopher:
The assignment: In about 1000-1200 words, describe a specific philosopher's ethical theory, and agree or
disagree with the position this philosopher might take on a current ethical issue. Then present it.
This assignment is broken down into six distinct parts with different due dates for each. The process work
(A-D) gets you 10% for meeting deadlines even if there are problems, and it can all be done in point form.
A – DECIDE: Choose an issue and clarify your argument for or against it. Then choose a philosopher.
B – READ & APPLY: Read the selection THAT I GIVE YOU, determine the moral theory with quotations as
proof (source), and then apply the theory to your issue. The issue is to be used as an example – a way of
illustrating the theory. The primary focus throughout should be on the theory.
C – THINK: Consider whether or not this theory is a good theory. Does it make sense to follow it? Create a
solid argument for or against this theory (or a bit of both). Continue to use your issue as an example.
D – OUTLINE & DRAFT: Use the outline to create a well-crafted essay.
E – EDIT: Use comments from the rough draft to guide your editing process. Polish the essay and submit.
F – TEACH: Be prepared to teach the class about this ethical theory and apply it to any issue suggested.
For Parts A, B, C, and D (process work) type on this page in point-form, and we’ll e-mail it back and forth.
It’s useful because we won’t be limited to writing really tiny notes in margins – we have limitless space.
HINT: For each part, save your work as Yourname Ethics A, then B, etc., and save all versions to the end.
For Part E, e-mail your essay without the process work. Make sure it’s flawless before you submit it!
For Part F, make a poster and a short explanation, and be on your toes to discuss and debate the issues!
PART A: DECIDE – Due:
1. Choose an ethical issue to study. Add it to the blank at the top of this page. It should be something
“meaty” that is fun to debate. Don’t choose an issue with an obvious leaning unless you decide to take the
minority position (e.g. murder is acceptable behaviour). Good, meaty issues include abortion, capital
punishment, euthanasia, land claims, environment concerns, industrialization, prostitution, drug
legalization, medical intervention, overseas adoption, same-sex marriage, animal experiments, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Don’t choose an issue that “fits” the philosopher, and don’t try to find what the philosopher
thought about this specific issue. That defeats the requirement to apply the theory to the issue!
2. Brainstorm your thoughts on this issue. Think of every possible (reasonable) point. Make your argument
as solid as possible by considering all possible opposition as well, then refuting the opposition.
My side of the argument:
The opposition:
Refuting the opposition (argue against the opposing points in order to make your argument air-tight):
3. Choose a philosopher to study from the list discussed in class. Add it to the blank at the top of the page,
and get the readings from me. Choices: Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Freud, Rand, Hume, Nietzsche, or Thoreau
PART B: READ & APPLY – Due:
1. Read your philosopher’s essay slowly and carefully. Philosophy is different than other writings; it can’t
be successfully skimmed for information. At the end of each sentence or so, stop to think about what’s
being said. Sometimes you’ll have to stop and think after a few words! Have a dictionary handy too.
2. As you read, in point-form below, list main ideas (briefly), quotations, and sources (page number in
brackets after each quotation – or name and page number if you’re using more than one reading), and an
explanation in your own words. Also track any thoughts you have about each point – i.e. whether you
agree or disagree and why. Aim for 3-5 points. Some people prefer to make a chart, which is fine too. Do
whatever works best for you!
HINT: Much of the reading will be supports for why this is the right way to determine morality. Focus on the
conclusion of the reading: HOW does this philosopher think we should determine the morality of an issue?
Main Idea #1:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Thoughts:
Main Idea #2:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Thoughts:
Main Idea #3:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Thoughts:
3. Apply this ethical theory to your issue: Based on the philosopher’s theory, consider what you can
reasonably deduce they would think about your issue. For example, Nietzsche said little about censorship,
but his point of view on the issue can be deduced from his other theories.
Add the word ‘Application:’ under each Explanation section above and explain the philosopher’s moral
stance on your issue based on each section of this moral theory.
PART C: THINK – Due:
1. Think critically about what makes this a good or bad ethical theory. Start with any thoughts you jotted
down during your reading in Part B. You can read criticisms of the theory on-line to get ideas as well. If
you use any, source them. If this theory were perfect, we’d all be using it. What’s wrong with it? You need
at least one criticism, but the rest of your argument may be in agreement with the theory. Make sure to
support your ideas, and consider all possible opposition to your ideas and refute them. Make an air-tight
case that answers the question: Is this a good way to determine morality?
Sample thinking with supports, opposition, and refutation of opposition:
It’s a good theory because…
- it creates equality (main point #1)
- not ethical to let some people in society be harmed or neglected
- causes us pain to see others suffer
- gets all people involved in society which increases number of ideas and innovations
- BUT (opposition) doesn’t let the rich get just rewards of their efforts
- BUT (refutation) rich benefit from all of society having basic needs met – can be
safer from theft
It’s a good ethical theory to use because….
It doesn’t really work as an ethical theory because…
2. Think critically about how the theory is applied to your issue. Go back to Part A and think about HOW
you decided your position on the issue? Which system works better, and why?? What’s the best way to
support your position on this issue?
-
PART D – OUTLINE & DRAFT – Due:
1. Copy and paste the specific ideas from Part B at the * in the Writing Outline below (at THREE or more
BODY PARAGRAPHS) in the correct areas (Idea, Quotation, Explanation, and Application). This is a good
time to consider paragraph order. They can go in a chronological order if that’s necessary to the theory, or
they can start with the strongest points first.
2. Write a thesis statement that introduces the main ideas and answers the question, ‘How does this
philosopher determine moral action?’.
3. Copy and past the specific ideas from Part C at the ** in the Writing Outline below in the correct areas.
This might take more work to structure your opinions into 3-5 different significant points. Order them from
strongest point to weakest point.
4. Write a thesis statement that introduces your points and answers the question, ‘Is this a good way to do
morality?’.
5. Write a good hook that will make a reader curious about your paper. Write a transitional paragraph
that shifts the reader from one section to another (basically the conclusion of the first section, and
introduction to the second section, ending with the thesis statement). And write a conclusion.
6. Copy and paste the WRITING OUTLINE just below itself under ROUGH DRAFT. Delete my instructions
and the skeleton outline points from the rough draft. Then change the point-form format to beautifully
worded paragraphs. (Leave the Outline as is so I can refer to it if there’s a confusing bit in the Rough Draft.)
7. For each body paragraph, make sure you’ve introduced the topic, explained everything, and concluded
the idea. If you go in-depth, and a paragraph runs longer than 7-8 sentences, then break it into a couple
shorter paragraphs.
8. Check spelling, grammar, and word choice. (Don’t use the same words or phrases over and over). Make
sure you have sourced each quotation and fact with proper MLA in-text citations. Include the heading for
your List of Works Consulted (center it) with proper MLA formatting of each citation.
9. In the first half of your rough draft, check to make sure someone who knows nothing about philosophy
can understand the theory and actually learn from your paper.
10. In the second half of your rough draft, the reader should get to know you as a person. Make sure your
thoughts on the theory AND on the issue are clear and well supported.
WRITING OUTLINE (point form)
INTRO PARAGRAPH:
Hook:
Thesis: (Write this sentence after you fill in your points below. Use the three (or so) main points of the theory
as a guide. Answer this question: How does this philosopher determine moral action?)
* THREE or more BODY PARAGRAPHS - APPLYING THE THEORY TO AN ISSUE (Cut and paste information from
PART B here, but don't include your thoughts – they come later.) Each main idea should refer to a specific
idea from the philosopher’s theory.
1st main idea:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Application to Issue:
2nd main idea:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Application to Issue:
3rd main idea:
Quotation (Source):
Explanation:
Application to Issue
TRANSITIONAL PARAGRAPH:
Thesis: (Write this sentence after you fill in the points below. Use the three (or so) main arguments you have
to support or criticize the theory. Answer this question: Is this a good way to determine morality? Why?)
** THREE or more BODY PARAGRAPHS - CRITIQUING THE THEORY (Cut and paste information from PART C
here.) Each point should refer to one of your own ideas.
1st point (criticism or support for the theory)
explanation and agree or disagree (and refute)
application to the issue
2nd point (criticism or support for the theory)
explanation and agree or disagree (and refute)
application to the issue
3rd point (criticism or support for the theory)
explanation and agree or disagree (and refute)
application to the issue
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
Don’t restate the theses using the same words. Mix it up a little! Sum up the theory, the issue, and your
opinions about it all.
LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED
Include full MLA citations of each reading you USED in the essay. The first word of the citation should match
the first word in the in-text citation (unless there’s only one reading, in which case you just need a page
number in the in-text citation).
ROUGH DRAFT (in paragraphs)
Copy the completed WRITING OUTLINE here in preparation for a magical transformation into an essay!
PART E – EDIT – Due:
1. Save this document as Yourname Ethics Essay. Delete everything before the Rough Draft, and save.
2. Read my comments carefully and edit as necessary. Give the entire essay another close read to make it
perfect. Polish the essay and submit your paper for evaluation.
PART F –TEACH - Due:
1. Make a lovely poster indicating the most important points of the theory. Make it clear and readable. It
will stay up during the midterm, so people will appreciate being able to read it from anywhere in the room.
2. Prepare to teach the class about this ethical theory, and be able to apply it to any issue suggested.
Know the theory COLD.