Is it fair to imagine that humans are superior to animals, therefore “anything goes?”

PHIL 2060 – Business Ethics

Paper #2

Due Date:May 1st

Format:in-text citations (author p#) double spaced1″ margins12 pt. Times New Roman5 pages + Works Cited pg

Paper #2Making a Moral Argument

Thiroux’s Five Humanitarian Principles:
Principle of GoodnessValue of Life PrinciplePrinciple of Justice
Principle of HonestyPrinciple of Autonomy
Moral Theories:
Rand – EgoismRoss – Intuitionism Natural Law Theory
Aristotelian VirtueKantian Duty EthicsDivine Command Theory
Platonic VirtueMill – UtiliarianismRawls – Justice as Fairness,
Locke – Natural RightsGilligan – Care Ethics Nozick – Entitlement Theory
Topic Option #1 – For-Profit Prisons and the Justice System
The purpose of this assignment is for you to investigate the for-profit prison industry and have a discussion about whether or not the activities of such corporations and our justice system can be considered moral.
Argue either in support of OR in opposition to these policies and practices, using course concepts. Use moral theories and principles to support your view.

Issues for investigation:

The School to Prison PipelineCorrections Corporation ofAmerica

Corrupt JudgesGlobal Tel-Link

Statistical Racial DisparitiesThe Bail Industry

Lobbying of Government AgenciesIncarceration Rates, US v the world

War on DrugsImpact of Pro-Industry legislation

Facility Reports and statistics Charges for Inmate Phone Calls

• What do you see as the major moral failures of this system? Which companies are the worst offenders? (focus on at least one company) How might one argue that this represents a failure of justice? What can be done to correct the issues?
• Use ethical language to explain the failure.
Topic Option #2 – Corporate Responsibility and Animal Rights
The purpose of this assignment is for you to consider the moral status of animals in relation to the use of animals in the business world. Many animals of all kinds are negatively impacted by human activity- we cage them, eat them, and experiment on them. But is any of this moral?
(1)Research moral concerns regarding animals in the business world, and

(2)Argue either in support of OR in opposition to the idea that animals have rights, using course concepts. Use moral theories and principles to support your view.

1. Do human beings have duties toward animals? What about corporations? How and when do we fail to uphold those duties? Why?
2. How can we defend the position that animals do have rights? What exactly could wild or domestic animals be “entitled to”? What could their rights include or not include?
3. Is it fair to imagine that humans are superior to animals, therefore “anything goes?”
4. To what extent does animal consciousness or suffering matter?
5. Should things like rivers, mountains, and lakes be granted personhood and rights?
6. Which specific corporations are immoral in their use of animals? How and Why?

Issues for investigation:

Cosmetic/pharmaceutical animal testingPerdue, Cargill, JBS, Smithfield

arguments for animal rightsFactory Farming practices/abuses

speciesism, non-anthropocentric ethicsSentience and animal consciousness

environmental concerns, deep ecologyextinction of species, habitat destruction

the “rights of nature”Clinique, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay

• What do you see as the major failures of this system? How might one argue that this represents a failure of justice? What can be done to correct the issues?
• Use ethical language to explain the failure.
• Be focused and specific. Don’t try to cover everything.

Questions to consider:

• Why does this issue represent an example of injustice?
• What is the nature/origin of the problem?
• Why are there competing attitudes on the issue? What values are at stake?
• What does a moderate view of the issue look like, taking into account competing values?
• What are some possible solutions? How can they be achieved?
• Which individuals or groups are most affected by the issue? Who is not?
• Which theorists ideas are most relevant to this issue?
A successful essay will contain the following elements:

a) clear thesis statement articulating your view in intro paragraph
b) presentation of premises which support your point of view
c) presentation of the opposing argument
d) response to opposition argument (which shows that your view is superior)
e) application and discussion of theory from at least THREE philosophers covered in course
f) use of credible external sources and inclusion of Works Cited page
g) accurate application of moral theory, principles, and concepts from the course
h) discuss details: specific people, places, events, companies, decisions, etc.

• Do some research and draw on at least three high-quality sources. Do not rely on questionable web resources! Take advantage of the CCC library and databases!
• How can different ethical theories be used to either justify OR condemn the company’s actions?
• Think about what your final conclusion will be – what claim do you want to make? Mention this in your introductory paragraph.
• Use evidence (premises) which demonstrate that your point of view is right. Draw on what you have learned about moral principles and theories.
• Consider what your opponent will say, and respond to likely criticism. Your goal is to be convincing and thorough.
• Do not rely on quotes, discuss the issue in your own voice while remaining as objective as possible.

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