Trinity University Ethics Paper – (PHIL 252) Practical Ethics Purpose The Ethic Paper is intended to offer students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the ethical theories presented in Practical Ethics by applying at least one theory to a contemporary moral issue from the list provided. Instructions 1. Select one of the contemporary moral issues. 2. The paper must include the following elements: a. A written paper 4 pages (1,000 – 1,250 words) that explain the main issues about the topic selected, the point of view of at least one moral theory, and a descriptive summary of at least one opposing ethical viewpoint on the topic. b. Must include two scholarly sources. c. Ethics Paper 100 pts. i. See the Grading Rubric. Due Date: March 7, 2022, no later than 11:59 p.m. Format: Your paper should be free of grammatical, spelling, and proofreading errors. Format your paper with double-spacing in a standard, 12-point font (such as Times New Roman) and with 1” margins. The paper must adhere to the APA style format. Paper Writing Tips: • Plan what you are going to write about and perhaps create an outline. Your paper should begin with an introduction. Think about the main goal of your paper to formulate a clear thesis statement. The main idea of your work should be put at the end of the introduction. • Consider dividing the body part into three separate paragraphs and connect every paragraph with the main idea of your work. Make sure you clearly state your point-of-view, support your arguments with scholarly sources, and include an opposing viewpoint. • The conclusion is the last part of your paper, you need to sum up everything you said before and finish the document logically. You should restate the main idea from the introduction – do not just rewrite it but make it sound a bit different. It is the last paragraph of your paper and it should be short. Make sure you didn’t put any new information in the conclusion that has not been already stated in the paper. Suggested Outline: I. Introduction A. Hook sentence. B. Background information on an ethical dilemma. C. Writer’s claim – a thesis statement. II. Body Paragraphs A. Argument • state a position of an argument; • support this position with evidence; • explain how this evidence is right toward this argument; B. Counterargument • provide a counterargument to a position in the first body paragraph; • include their supports point of view; C. Rebuttal • define the weaknesses of a counterargument; • cover credible evidence that supports such weaknesses; • write how these weaknesses make a counterargument irrelevant; III. Conclusion A. Restate a thesis. B. Sum up on the argument, counterargument, and rebuttal. 4. Parenthood: Is there a “right” to parenthood? Should we support anyone who wants to be a parent in this activity? What if they are thought to be “unfit”? What makes a person “unfit” as a parent? (This is related to the next topic of abuse.) How much attention does a child really need? How nice must the housing be? The neighborhood? What if a parent cannot protect a child from the bullying of other children?
