Part 1: Ethical Theory Selection
For this assignment, you will begin by selecting an Ethical Theory from the list below.
Divine Command Theory, Natural Law Ethics, or Kantian Ethics (subcategories of Deontological ethics)
Ethical Egoism or Utilitarianism (subcategories of Teleological ethics)
Ethical Subjectivism or Ethical Conventionalism (subcategories of Ethical Relativism)
Christian Ethics or Theological Ethics
Virtue Ethics
Part 2: Moral Issue Selection
Once you have selected an Ethical Theory above, apply it to a particular moral issue listed below:
Abortion or Medical Abortion
Animal Rights or Animal Welfare
Artificial Intelligence or Transhumanism
Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia
Capital Punishment
Cell Phones in Schools or Laptops in Schools
Charter Schools or Homeschooling
Compensation for College Athletes
Facial Recognition Technology
Gambling or Gaming
LGBT Individuals in the Military
Genetic Engineering or Designer Babies
Global Warming/Climate Change
Gun Control or Assault Weapons Ban
Vaccinations
Medical or Recreational Marijuana Use
Minimum Legal Drinking Age or Voting Age
Nuclear weapons
Performance Enhancing Drugs
Pornography or Prostitution
Sanctuary Cities
Select Bans on Immigration
Slavery Reparations
Torture
Vaping and/or E-Cigarettes
Part 3: Essay
Write an essay (1,000-1,250 words) that applies an ethical theory (chosen from ethical theories above) to a particular moral issue (chosen from topics above). Be sure to include the following in your paper:
Provide a brief introduction and thesis statement (100-125 words).
Define or describe a selected moral issue involving an ethical dilemma (see topics below) (150-200 words).
State one or more claims made by each opposing position on the selected moral issue (250-300 words).
Select and describe a normative ethical theory that you will utilize in arguing for your position on the moral issue (150-200 words).
Utilizing the selected normative ethical theory, provide one or more detailed arguments to support your position on the moral issue (250-300 words).
In conclusion, express how your stance on the moral issue impacts your own behavior (100-125 words).