HZT4U Philosophy Choice Board: Ethics
 Using the Success Criteria that follows, select one of the options from the choice
board (over) to demonstrate your understanding of an ethical question/issue.
Expectations
D1. Understanding Ethics:
demonstrate an understanding of
the main questions in ethics, and
of the positions of major
philosophers and schools of
philosophy with respect to some
of these questions;
A4.2 correctly use terms relating
to their chosen topics
A3.3 analyse and interpret
research information
A3.1 assess various aspects of
information gathered from primary
and secondary sources (e.g.,
accuracy, relevance, reliability,
inherent values and bias,
perspective)
Learning Goals
We are learning to …


understand ethical questions
& the positions of
philosophers on these
questions
use correct terminology
related to ethics

make inferences from
research about a
philosophical issue/question

interpret research information
on ethical questions
Success Criteria
I can …

summarize the positions of appropriate
philosophers on ethical questions using
correct terminology related to ethics

explain how various philosophers responded
to these ethical questions using correct
terminology related to ethics

explain a relevant question in ethics

make inferences from my research on an
ethical topic (question) using primary and
secondary sources to support an argument
on my ethical question

interpret my research sources
(primary/secondary) with appropriate &
relevant quotes to support counterarguments
source all ideas, quotations, images using
MLA (embedded references)
A3.4 demonstrate academic
honesty by documenting the
sources of all information
generated through research**

honestly source all ideas
generated in research

A4. Communicating and
Reflecting: communicate the
results of their research and
inquiry clearly and effectively, and
reflect on and evaluate their
research, inquiry, and
communication skills.

communicate ideas from
research clearly to support
position using oral/written
communication


reflect on my research,
inquiry skills &
communication skills honestly
to improve
clearly communicate in writing and/or orally
(with visuals if appropriate) to demonstrate
that I understand the ethical issues and
questions, using one of the choices from the
choice board.

Select language choices to reflect ideas for
intended audience

explain (in separate reflection) what I learned
and what I will do differently next time.
I can use philosophical reasoning skills
(examples and arguments) to support each
idea
D4.Philosophical Reasoning in
Ethics: use philosophical
reasoning skills to develop,
communicate, and defend their
own responses to philosophical
questions in ethics.

D3. Making Connections to
Ethics: demonstrate an
understanding of connections
between ethics and other areas of
philosophy, other subject areas,
and various aspects of society,
including everyday life;

* *no sources, no mark!
jhw 2013
use philosophical reasoning
skills to support a personal
response to an ethical
question/issue
make connections between
ethics and society today



I can respond to objections and
counterarguments with evidence
I can make connections between
philosophers and relevant ideas to present
day issues
Select ONE of the following tasks to demonstrate your understanding of Ethics, using the
Success Criteria above, with reference to the rubric that follows:
I. Create a cartoon (using
bitstrips) to reflect an
ethical question of
importance today, using
philosophical ideas/
arguments/evidence
IV. Write a ‘modest
proposal’ based on model
of Jonathon Swift to draw
attention to an issue of
ethical importance today,
using philosophical
arguments.
VII. Prepare a
commercial (radio/video)
to explain a current ethical
issue using philosophical
arguments.
II. Create an infographic
for Philosophy students, to
reflect a current ethical
issue of importance today,
using philosophical ideas/
arguments/evidence.
V.
Free
Choice*
VIII. Prepare a rap or rant
to demonstrate a current
ethical issue, using
philosophical arguments.
III. Write an investigative
report on a current ethical
issue, using philosophical
arguments and evidence to
demonstrate the conflicting
views on the issue.
VI. Prepare a presentation for
children in Grade 6-8 or book
for Grade 3-5 on a current
ethical issue, using philosophical
arguments that are appropriate
for that age group.
IX. Prepare a position paper
with arguments on both sides
of a current ethical issue, using
philosophical arguments on both
sides.
Current issues may include (not limited to): FNMI land claims, environmental, criminal case, war,
cyberspace, medical, end of life decisions, etc
*
This requires a proposal prior to selection and teacher approval.
For advice in writing philosophy papers, check out John Nolt, Professor of Philosphy, University of
Tennessee http://web.utk.edu/~nolt/courses/HOWTOWRT.html
** no sources, no mark!
jhw 2013
Date __________
Criteria
Philosophy Choice Board: Ethics
Level 1
Knowledge

Understanding
-summarizes the
positions of

appropriate
philosophers on ethical
questions using
correct terminology
- explains how various
philosophers
responded to these
ethical questions using
correct terminology
related to ethics
Thinking

- make inferences
from research on an
ethical topic using
primary & secondary
sources to support an
argument on an ethical
question
- interprets research

sources to support
counter-arguments

- source all ideas,
quotations using
MLA**
Level 2

Application
- connects between
philosophers &
relevant ideas to
present day issues

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

Level 3
beginning knowledge 
of positions of few
ethical philosophers
limited

understanding of
how philosophers
responded to ethical
questions using
minimal accurate
terminology
some knowledge of 
positions of ethical
some philosophers
satisfactory
understanding of

how philosophers
responded to
ethical questions
using some
accurate
terminology
considerable

knowledge of
positions of many
ethical philosophers
credible

understanding of
how philosophers
responded to ethical
questions using
accurate
terminology
5.1 5.4 5.8
few relevant
6.1 6.4 6.8
some relevant
7.1 7.4 7.8
relevant inferences

inferences from
research on an
ethical topic using
few sources to
support an
argument on an
ethical question
has passable support 
for arguments
developing use of

MLA to source ideas
5.1 5.4 5.8
Communication
- communicates
clearly on ethical
issues & questions,
using one of the
choices from the
choice board
- language choices
reflect ideas for
intended audience
(tone)
Name ________________
communicates
philosophical
concepts with
developing clarity
uses a few
philosophical
concepts
appropriately
developing language
choices for intended
audience
5.1 5.4 5.8
makes passable
connections
between
philosophers,
philosophical ideas &
current issue
5.1 5.4 5.8





inferences from
research on an
ethical topic using
few sources to
support an
argument on an
ethical question

acceptable support
for arguments
satisfactory use of 
MLA to source
ideas/images
6.1 6.4 6.8
communicates
philosophical
concepts with
suitable clarity
uses some
philosophical
concepts
appropriately
some language
choices reflect
intended audience
6.1 6.4 6.8
makes some
connections
between
philosophers,
philosophical ideas
& current issue
6.1 6.4 6.8




Level 4
thorough knowledge
of positions of
several ethical
philosophers
expert
understanding of
how philosophers
responded to ethical
questions using
accurate
terminology
8.2 8.5 9.0 9.5 10
 impressively
from research on an
relevant inferences
ethical topic using
from research on an
few sources to
ethical topic using
support an
sources to support
argument on an
an argument on an
ethical question
ethical question
skillful support for
 insightful support
arguments &
for arguments &
counter-arguments
counter-arguments
accurate use of
 accurate use of
MLA to source
MLA to fully source
ideas/images
7.1 7.4 7.8
8.2 8.5 9.0 9.5 10
communicates
 communicates
philosophical
philosophical
concepts with
concepts with
convincing clarity
superb clarity
uses philosophical
 uses philosophical
concepts
concepts fluently &
appropriately &
purposefully
thoughtfully
 thoughtful language
appropriate language
choices reflect
choices reflect
ideas for intended
intended audience
audience
7.1 7.4 7.8
8.2 8.5 9.0 9.5 10
makes convincing
 makes insightful
connections
connections between
between
philosophers,
philosophers,
philosophical ideas &
philosophical ideas &
current issue
current issue
7.1 7.4 7.8
8.2 8.5 9.0 9.5 10
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