The focus of this theme connection reflection will be utilitarianism and consequentialism, with specific attention paid to the arguments and analysis set forth by John Stuart Mill and JJC Smart. The aim of this reflection is to analyze the moral component(s) of a news story outside the United States. You should pick from one of the two stories listed below.
You should structure your assignment in a way that addresses all of the following questions:
(1) Why would a utilitarian say we are morally obligated to give our money, time, and effort to help address problems in the world?
(2) How does a utilitarian think we should direct our money, time, and effort? (Here you should think about the principle of utility, or the distinction between extreme and restricted utilitarianism.)
(3) Is it wrong to donate money to rebuild a cathedral or buy cookies from a leadership development organization for girls, when that money could be spent much more effectively to minimize human suffering? Do you suppose it is ever permissible to a utilitarian to spend one’s money on the former rather than the latter? Explain your reasoning.
(4) What limitation(s) do the answers to the above questions point to with the theory you are discussing. If we understand those limitations of criticisms of the theory, can those criticisms be addressed and overcome? Why or why not?
(5) What is a possible objection to your position, and how would you address that point?
General Project Information—Detailed Information on the Theory/Theme Connection Reflection
NOTE: I do not accept any late work for any reason. Please do not ask.
This course is organized around normative ethical theories as well as broad topics in applied ethics. You must write four essays.
A theme connection reflection make a connection between an ethical theory and a recent news event occurring to people somewhere in the world outside of the United States.
Each of these “connection reflections” must clearly articulate a philosophical theory or philosophical theme and the current news event and must be at least 600-750 words. (No more than 3 double-spaced pages. Include a word count.) At the end of the course you should have four reflections. Each connection is worth 50 points for a total of 300 points. I make suggestions below for sources to look for the news stories. Each reflection is a part of your Globalized Project. This grade item is weighted the most, at 30% of the overall course grade.
In order to get 50/50 points for your reflection, please do the following:
a. Cut to the chase and use the textbook
Make sure the body contains a quote or paraphrases a point from the article, then uses evidence and analysis to state your position. This evidence should relate to the theory or the theme you are writing about. You need to do more than paint broad strokes. You need to clearly indicate that you understand the theory or the theme and that you haven’t just regurgitated information from the review sheet or from a Wikipedia entry on the theory or theme. For example, if you are writing on Utilitarianism, make sure you go beyond the cursory explanation that Utilitarianism is “the greatest good for the greatest number”. If you are writing on Deontology (the definition of which is simply “duty-based”), talk about the Categorical Imperative, or one of its two formulations rather than simply how “duty” is expressed by the agents in the news story or characters in the film.
b. Make good use of quotations
Make sure that your reflection contains at least two (2) perfectly formatted quotations and/or paraphrases, making use of signal phrases, verbs appropriate for content expressed, and proper punctuation. Use an in-text parenthetical to indicate where in the assigned reading the quote appears.
c. Provide a brief conclusion
Take care to rephrase major points and introduce no new information (with the exception of a final thought). End the paper by driving home essential points and providing a sense of completion.
d. Use correct style & clarity
Vary your sentence lengths and styles and use vivid description. In other words, make sure this is an enjoyable read that audiences can easily understand, even if it makes a complex point.
e. Use correct spelling and grammar
Make sure your work contains fewer than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or sentence-level issues such as subject/verb agreement, fragment sentences, run-ons, comma splices, etc.
Please note that you must use the assigned textbook or texts to discuss philosophical views. No other sources are acceptable, and papers that use non-textbook sources will earn a grade of ‘F.’ (The drop grade will also be forfeited.) Use in-text parentheticals to indicate where in an assigned reading the quote is located.
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