GUIDELINES FOR THE FINAL ETHICS RESEARCH PROJECTS

The final course requirement for Ethics is TWO projects on applied ethics. Each project should be a statement and defense of what you think about some controversial moral and/or social issue from the list of allowable topics. I have chosen to restrict the allowable topics to rule out those topics that have such well-established and publicly known arguments that no serious thought need go into producing your position. If you want to choose a topic not on the list, you must clear it with me first.

PROJECT #1 is due at the start of class on WEDNESDAY

PROJECT #2 is due at the end of the EXAM PERIOD on THURSDAY.

The final projects will be graded primarily along the following criteria:

  • Having a clear and identifiable thesis statement
  • Support for that thesis statement through arguments and/or evidence. Most of the grade will be based on this element, so be sure to elaborate your arguments and evidence fully.

Some general guidelines to follow:

  • Pick a topic where you feel there is room for reasonable disagreement. Do not pick a topic where you would consider those who disagree with you to be irrational or demonic.
  • Defend what you really think. Don’t feel the need to pigeon-hole yourself into a preset option on your topic. If what you really think is ‘Capital punishment should be allowed only to punish crimes against humanity’, THIS is what you should defend.
  • Bear in mind that a thesis statement does not have to be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to your topic problem. For example, ‘The abortion debate is irresolvable’ is a perfectly legitimate thesis statement.
  • Topics where you have relevant personal experience are recommended. Your experience will often give you a perspective on the issue that others lack.
  • Since this project is a defense of what YOU think, outside sources are not required. They are, however, useful for providing data, arguments, and opposing ideas. If you use outside sources, be sure to cite them.
  • While it is not required of you to address potential objections, recognizing weaknesses and potential objections will always make the project better as it indicates the level of serious thought put into the project.
  • Don’t be afraid of admitting ignorance, especially in responding to the ideas of others.
  • Avoid replacing arguments with examples. Use examples to illustrate a general claim, not as a replacement for them. Examples by themselves tend toward selection bias and hasty generalizations.
  • Avoid, where possible, “we” language. Talking about what “we” believe tends toward hasty generalizations and loaded language. Our tendency to overestimate the degree to which others agree with us is a well-established cognitive fallacy. Don’t make it.
  • Keepin mindthat thereisnoonedefinitiveanswertothequestion.Thesuccessof your project dependsonhoweffectivelyyoustate yourreasonsforthepositionyoutake.

PROCESS [What you will submit is in RED]

  1. Pick your topic
  1. Startby identifyingthemostsignificantpointstobeaddressed
  1. Reada varietyofopinionsonthesubjecttogetanideaofthestrengthsandweaknessesofthevarious pointsofview
  1. Develop the pro and con arguments for a particular position
  1. A clear and interesting thesis statement Develop your own approach to the topic
  1. EVIDENCE (in list or bullet point format) - Constructyourownargumentbasedupontheinformationyoufindmostcentral,significant,and compelling
  2. Advancing a particular position requires justification. Support your position by clearly stating your reasons
  3. Don’t just list someone’s arguments and then agree or disagree with each one—that gets boring
  4. Make sure each part of your essay contributes to the strength of your position
  5. Check your argument for inconsistencies or self-contradiction
  1. Analyzing a case study
  2. I will post possible choices BUT feel free to use your own

BASIC PROJECT FORMAT

TOPIC

PRO & CON ARGUMENTS

THESIS STATEMENT—the argument you are going to make

EVIDENCE (in list or bullet point format)

[It doesn’t matter what thesis you defend,

but the argument must be clear and coherent]

CASE STUDY