Philosophy 220 Final Paper

Step 1: The assignment requires you to write a 3-5 page paper. Essentially, you will explain the article’s argument, assess the argument according to two of the ethical theories listed, and then provide your own assessment of the argument. The final paper is to be typed, double-spaced, with no more than 1.25” margins and in Times New Roman 12 pt font. The paper is to be no less than three pages and no more than five.

The name of the Article is : John Finnis, “Marriage: A Basic and Exigent Good”

Ethical Theories:

Aquinas’s Natural Law Theory

Utilitarianism (Act or Rule)

Step 2: Write a thesis statement. The format should be exactly as below. Your thesis statement will not be accepted if it does not follow the format below.

1. The first sentence must be an explicit and clear statement of whether you agree/disagree with the authors argument.

2. The next sentences should explicitly and clearly explain in detail why you agree/disagree with the author’s argument.

3. The last sentences need to explicitly and clearly explain in detail whether each ethical theory you have chosen would agree/disagree with the author’s argument and why?

Example:

“In this paper I will argue that in the article by John Doe “Killer Robots are OK,” his argument for the building and use of self-directing military robots that can kill is morally wrong. Despite his argument that replacing human soldiers with robots would save the lives of soldiers, his proposal is morally wrong because taking the life of any human is a moral decision and robots are incapable of moral decisions. Human lives have intrinsic moral worth and thus must be considered, even in the decision to take an enemy’s life. Kant’s Duty Ethics would agree with my position because Kant argues that all human life should be respected and all moral action requires the application of the Categorical Imperative. Robots are incapable of both. An Act Utilitarian may agree with Doe if it is the case that the consequences of using such robots is that there is more pleasure produced than pain for the most people. For example, if using killer robots result in eliminating the enemy with little to no cost of U.S. lives and the lives of innocent civilians overseas, it is right to use such robots.”

Step 3: The final paper must abide by the structure outlined below. Any deviation or omission of elements will result in a grade penalty. The paper must have:

A. An introductory paragraph that includes your thesis statement: A thesis statement is a short paragraph in which you state the argument at hand and briefly your assessment of the argument. (See the above in Step 2.)

B. Body: The body must be in the order below and include at least one relevant quote from the article.

1. An explanation of the author’s argument in detail and how he/she supports it.

2. A statement and explanation of how each ethical theory chosen would assess the author’s argument.

3. Your own assessment in which you argue why you agree/disagree with the author’s argument.

4. An explanation of why you agree/disagree with the two theory’s assessment of the author’s argument.

o Note that all quotations must be properly cited. Example:

“Hereby it is manifest, that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man.” (Hobbes, 392)

▪ Citation (footnote, Works Cited page, etc.) Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Classics of Western Philosophy. 7th ed. Ed. Steven M. Cahn. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2006. 59, 75b.

C. Conclusion: A short paragraph in which you briefly summarize what was presented in the body.

D. A Works Cited Page or Bibliography

Criteria

Paper Elements: You are being graded on your ability to provide an analysis of a philosophical issue, and provide a coherent assessment based on critical thinking skills.

1. The paper should be comprehensive in terms of thoroughly explaining the arguments at hand.

2. The paper should be clear in terms of explaining arguments and providing your own assessment.

3. The paper should be concise in terms of providing and discussing only substantial points pertinent to the topic at hand (eg. avoid adding extraneous examples/discussions and wordy explanations to “fill” the paper.)

4. The paper should be organized in terms of having proper structure (intro with thesis statement, body, conclusion), proper grammar, and sentence/paragraph construction (eg. make sure there are no run-on sentences, and that each point is broken into a paragraph.)

Additional things of note:

▪ For any contentious claims in support or against a position, make sure it is backed up by textual evidence.

▪ Do not make factual errors

▪ Do not commit fallacies (poor reasoning) in your own argument.

▪ Define and use terminology correctly.

▪ Do not overuse quotations. Use paraphrasing more than quotations in explaining a philosopher’s argument.

▪ Cite quotations correctly (e.g.: (Locke, 215) after the quote) plus a bibliography

▪ Make sure you have no more than two grammatical/ typographical errors (if any at all.)