Assignment
Chapter 3 of your text discusses the aims of law. As you know from Unit 4, the aims of law and the common good are not the same thing. When determining how the legal system should be used to promote the common good, philosophers may differ in the weight they give to factors such as the value of autonomy, the manner in which harm and benefit are defined, and the role that morality should play.
Identify five controversial laws that restrict or regulate behavior, such as laws permitting or prohibiting gay marriage, abortion, use of marijuana, assisted suicide, child pornography, animal cruelty, and harm to the environment (or other issues of your choice). The laws you choose should be ones that some people favor and others oppose. In a paper, set forth the substance of the laws you have chosen and create a philosophical argument for or against why such laws advance a proper aim of law. Use the views of authors discussed in Chapter 3 of your text to justify your argument.
Explain how the stance of the laws chosen by you on each issue reflects in whole or in part, ideas about the proper aims of law expressed by philosophers discussed in Chapter 3. Focus more on demonstrating your knowledge of philosophical theories about the proper aims of law rather than on the details of the particular laws that you have chosen to analyze. Supplement your discussion with material from at least two sources other than the textbook.
In addition to fulfilling the specifics of the Assignment, a successful paper must also meet the following criteria:
Include a cover page and reference page in 10-12 point font (Arial, Courier and Times New Roman are acceptable).
Title page should include your full name, class name, section number, and date.
Length of the paper should be at least 1500 words excluding cover page and references.
Viewpoint and purpose should be clearly established and sustained.
Include an introductory and concluding paragraph.
Assignment should follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.).
Writing should be well ordered, logical and unified, as well as original and insightful.
Use examples to support your discussion.
Your work should display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics.
Appropriate citation style should be followed. Cite all sources on a separate reference page at the end of your paper and cite within the body of your paper using APA format.