For this paper assignment you are to write a brief defense of a moral position (an answer) taken on one of the following questions. You must select one or two (no more) of the following questions to write upon.

Is abortion morally wrong, or is it morally permissible?

Does the fetus have the same moral standing (i.e. require the same moral consideration) as a person, or does the fetus have some different moral standing?

Do fathers have as much say as mothers in deciding if an abortion should be performed, or does the mother have sole or superior say in the decision

Is gay marriage morally permissible, or is it wrong (regardless of its legal standing)?

Assuming that lawmakers could all come to an agreement on how to legally regulate the practice of prostitution (for adult male and female prostitutes), would it be morally wrong to do so or is it morally permissible?

[Helpful Hint: Those papers that have decided to only analyze one question are usually those that turn out better. However, if you find yourself having some trouble filling out 5 full pages of writing, which shouldn't be all that difficult, and you feel the need to include a second question from those listed above, try to make sure that the two questions have some connection between them. THE TOPIC OF "ABORTION," WHICH ALLUDES TO THE FIRST THREE QUESTIONS, IS THE ONLY TOPIC THAT INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE QUESTION. THE TOPICS OF THE LEGALIZATION OF "GAY MARRIAGE" & "PROSTITUTION" MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER QUESTION ABOVE.

Thus it is important to note here though that the last two questions of the legalization of gay marriage and the legalization of prostitution have really nothing to do with the first three questions that cover the topic of abortion. So if you choose to talk about the topic of abortion you can simply stick to the first question of whether the act of abortion itself or if you like, you can choose to include the second and or third questions or any combination of the first three. Or if you like you can simply focus on just the second question above regarding abortion or just the third question regarding abortion. BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU PICK OR COMBINE MORE THAN TWO RELATED QUESTIONS/TOPICS--THREE TOPICS IS JUST TOO MUCH!]

The problem with how many people approach moral questions is that they tend to come up with their answer before they do the work of justifying that answer. That is, we frequently find that we have a "gut reaction" to a moral question, assume that this must be correct, and then proceed to try to convince ourselves and others that our first reaction was correct. To combat this tendency, you will be required to answer the above questions differently from the way you might otherwise do it.

In this paper, you must answer in favor of each alternative in the question(s) you have chosen. That is, you must argue for both sides of the issue. Your paper will NOT conclude in favor of one side or another. The task in your paper is to give as compelling a defense of each side, regardless of your personal convictions on the matter. The purpose is to force you to see the kind of philosophical defense possible on each side of an issue. You will see this because you will be responsible for developing each side to equal strength. That is, part of your evaluation will depend upon your ability to develop both sides equally well.

To accomplish this, you must use one or more of the moral theories studied earlier in the course. You must use the theory of consequentialism, Kant'sdeontology, or Confucian virtue ethics. You do not need to use all of them, but you must use at least one. You may use one theoretical framework for one side of the issue and a different theoretical framework for the other side, if you think this will work better. For example, you may use consequentialism to argue in favor of gay marriage, while using Confucian virtue ethics to argue against gay marriage. You may, of course, use one theory to argue for both sides. In any case, you will also be evaluated in part for the accuracy with which you explain your chosen moral theories as well as the skill with which you apply them to the cases. ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO IMPLEMENT A PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY WE STUDIED UP TO THIS POINT FOR EACH SIDE OF THE ISSUE! FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN MAJOR GRADE DEDUCTIONS!

Also, I must state that the facts and figures relating to the chosen topic MUST NOT absorb more than two pages of text. The bulk of your work and effort must be dedicated to the moral [philosophical/ethical] dimensions of the topic, not to facts, figures, and timelines. Failure to adhere to this above two page maximum will result in a significant letter grade deduction at the discretion of the instructor. AND BY MORAL DIMENSION, WE MEAN THAT THE STUDENT MUST IMPLEMENT A PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY FOR EACH SIDE OF THE TOPIC AS STATED ABOVE. AND THE PAGE LIMIT FOR THIS PAPER AGAIN IS 5-6 PAGES. THAT MEANS, YOU MUST WRITE 5 FULL PAGES OF WRITING. I WON'T PENALIZE FOR GOING OVER BUT I WILL PENALIZE FOR GOING UNDER! (Title page and/or Bibliography don't count as a page of writing)

PAGE LIMIT REQUIREMENTS--> 5-6 PAGES; AT MINIMUM 5 FULL PAGES OF WRITING WITH NO MORE THAN ONE INCH MARGINS ON ALL SIDES (MY RECOMMENDATION-LEAVE IT AT 1" MARGINS-DON'T GO ABOVE 1)--I WILL CHECK!

OUTLINE: (Remember to remain impartial/unbiased)

I. Introduction in which you provide a thesis statement that includes the name of the topic & name of the theory (or theories) used to analyze the topic.

II. A brief informational rundown of the topic that provides some facts and figures that is at max two pages.

III. Philosophical analysis of one side of the topic using one of the ethical theories we've studied thus far up until the midterm paper due date.

IV. Philosophical analysis of the other side of the topic using one of the ethical theories we've studied thus far up until the midterm paper due date. (The theory used here can be the same as the theory used in III)

V. A proper conclusion that wraps up steps II-IV.

TWO MAJOR INSTRUCTIONS: 1) WHEN YOU SAVE YOUR PAPER MAKE SURE THAT IT IS: A) FIRST IN A 97-04 WORD .DOC FORMAT (NOT DOC X); B) LABEL YOURPAPER PROPERLY-- LAST NAME, FIRST NAME; COURSE NUMBER (SECTION); SEMESTER & C) MAKE SURE THAT IT IS IN TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT

2) WHEN QUOTING OUR TEXTBOOK OR ANY OTHER SOURCE, INCLUDE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE THEQUOTE AND/OR IDEA IS FOUND, FOR EXAMPLE--SMITH (95).

REMINDER: Look to the general Paper Instructions in the folder above for additional guidelines. These guidelines will instruct you on paper format, structure, and the like.

Topics: Write on only one of the topics given for each paper. Do not stray from the topic, and be sure to address all elements or questions in the topic (this is especially true when one of the questions asks you to explain why you hold a view).

Citation: Be sure to fully cite sources for claims made by others. Do not plagiarize. When citing please be sure to include the author, article title, and date (if given) of any source you used from it. Note that simply giving the above information at the end of your paper (such as in a Works Cited or Bibliography) is NOT sufficient for preventing plagiarism. Within the body of your paper you must indicate the original author of any ideas, concepts, and factual or interpretive claims that you did not come up with yourself. This can be accomplished easily by simply including the author's last name and page number or date of the original source (or both) after the sentence in which the idea was presented in your paper. (Santiago, p. 203, 6.7.2009)

Submission: To locate the link for submitting your paper through Blackboard click on the Paper Assignment link in black at the top of the page (Either Midterm Paper Assignment or Final Paper Assignment) . Please note that Blackboard only allows one submission for each assignment. After you submit in Blackboard, the assignment will be closed to you, so you only have one chance to submit your paper.

Deadlines: Submit no later than midnight of the due date. The Blackboard system will lock out and completely remove the paper topic/submission page at that time. There are no excuses, computer problems, slow servers, etc. that will stop the Blackboard system from restricting your access after midnight of the due date. Please submit early enough to ensure that such matters do not trouble you.

Digital Format: Word 97-2003 document (i.e. the file should be a .doc file, not a .docx or any other file format)

Length: 5-6 pages of complete writing--AT MINIMUM 5 FULL PAGES OF WRITING! (see Writing Tips for further elaboration)

Font: Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced

Margins: Standard 1" margins (this is the default in most versions of Microsoft Word)

Title Page (not included as part of page count): Include name, course, title for the paper (if you have one), and any other identifying information you wish to include (date, semester, professor's name, etc.)