Final Paper

Ashford 4: – Week 3 – Assignment

Applying an Ethical Theory
Please read these assignment instructions before writing your paper, and re-read them often during and after the writing process to make sure that you are fulfilling all of the instructions.
Overview
The following short essay assignment is designed to help prepare you for an important part of the Final Paper. In this essay, you will do the following:

• Choose either utilitarian or      deontological ethical theory to apply it to an ethical question.
• Explain the core principles of      that theory.
• Demonstrate how the principles      of the theory support a certain position on that question.
• Articulate a relevant objection      to the theory on the basis of that argument.

Instructions
Write a five paragraph essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper must be 600 to 900 words in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:

1. Introduction
   The introduction should be one paragraph, no more than 120 words. This      should clearly delimit the ethical problem or question under      consideration, and define the essential issues. The last sentence of the      introduction should briefly summarize the conclusion or position on this      issue that you think is best supported by this theory, and succinctly      state what the objection will be. Remember that your essay will not be      concerned with your own position on this issue, but what someone defending      the chosen theory would conclude.
2. Body      Paragraphs
   Each paragraph in the body should start with a topic sentence that clearly      identifies the main idea of the paragraph. Each paragraph should have at      least four sentences.
   1. Theory       explanation:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words explaining the core       principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory and the       general account of moral behavior it provides.
      • You must quote from at least        one required resource that defends or represents that theory. Please        view this list of acceptable resources.
   2. Application:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words addressing how these       principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory apply       to the problem or question under consideration and identify the specific       moral conclusion that results when these theories are applied to that       problem or question.
      • Your application should        clearly show how the conclusion follows from the main tenets of the        theory as addressed in the previous paragraph. Please see the associated        guidance for help in fulfilling this requirement.
   3. Objection:
      This should be approximately 150 to 200 words raising a relevant       objection to the argument expressed in part “b”. A relevant       objection is one that exposes a weakness in the theory as it applies to       your problem, and so you should explain how it brings out this weakness.
      • Note that this does not        necessarily mean that the objection succeeds, or that the conclusion the        theory supports is wrong. It may be an obstacle that any adequate        defense of the conclusion would have to overcome, and it may be the case        that the theory has the resources to overcome that obstacle. Your task        here is simply to raise the objection or present the “obstacle”.
3. Conclusion
   The conclusion should be one paragraph, no more than 150 words. The      conclusion should very briefly summarize the main points of your essay and      must contain a paraphrased restatement of your thesis.

Resources Requirements:

• You must use at least two      resources to support your claims.
• At least one of the resources      should directly represent the theory you have chosen. Please view this list of acceptable resources.
• The other source should pertain      to the particular issue you are writing about, and should be drawn from      the Required or Recommended Readings in the course or found in the Ashford      University Library.
• You are encouraged to use      additional resources, so long as at least two conform to the requirements      above.
• The textbook does not count      toward satisfying the resources requirement.
• To count toward satisfying the      requirement, resources must be cited within the body of your paper and on      the reference page and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the      Ashford Writing Center.

The Ashford Writing Center (AWC)  has two kinds of tutoring available to you.

• Live      Chat – If you have writing-related      questions about a topic before you draft a discussion post or submit a      written assignment, you will now be able to chat live with a tutor for a      short (up to 20 minute) conversation. Live Chat will be available Monday      through Friday from 10:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm (PST). AWC Live Chat
• Email      Paper Review      – If you have a draft, partial draft, or even if you’re having trouble      getting started, you can complete a submission form and email your paper      to the AWC for review.
  • Writing Tutors will do their       best to return your paper with their comments within 48 hours, not       including Saturdays and Sundays. Please plan accordingly if you would       like to receive feedback before an assignment due date. AWC Email Paper Review

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Late Policy: Written assignments (essays, journals, presentations) are due on the specified days in the course. Written assignments will be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day up to three days late. If written assignments are submitted after 72 hours past the due date, instructors can give a penalty up to and including a grade of 0 for the assignment.