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Paper A: Meta-Ethical Problems
Over the years many divisive issues have put philosophers on separate sides of a controversy. In this paper you
are going to examine a controversy in ethical history by looking at two different thinkers who took opposing sides
on an ethical issue.
You will begin by explaining, with evidence from primary sources, the view of one supporter, a person
who holds the statement to be true. Then you will follow that with view of one of the opponents, a person who
argues that the statement is false, also with evidence from primary sources. Finally, you will conclude by stating
which of these thinkers you agree with, and why, or else why you disagree with both, and what you think instead.
Paper Topics: (Please note, you will pick 1 controversy with 1 supporter and 1 opponent)
Controversy 1: The best moral system is one based in ethical relativism
a) Supporters: John Lachs - Relativism and Its Benefits (62-67)
b) Opponents: Louis Pojman - Who's to Judge? (55-62)
Controversy 2: Every person pursues their own self-interest as much as they can.
a) Supporters: Thomas Hobbes - Self-Love (85-88)
b) Opponents: Steven Pinker - Altruism (88-92)
Controversy 3: Abortion is an inherently immoral procedure
a) Supporters: Don Marquis - Why Abortion is Immoral (252-261)
b) Opponents: Bertha Alvarez Manninen - The Value of Choice (261-275)
Controversy 4: Those who are white should acknowledge that they benefit from white privilege
a) Supporters: George Yancy, Dear White America (https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/dear-
white-america/)
b) Opponents: Fredrik deBoer, Admitting that White Privilege Helps You is Really Just Congratulating
Yourself (https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/01/28/when-white-people-admit-
white-privilege-theyre-really-just-congratulating-themselves/)
(Example Topic: Controversy 2: Every person pursues their own self-interest as much as they can,
Chosen Supporter: Hobbes, Chosen Opponent: Pinker)
Paper Instructions: {Failure to follow these instructions will result in your grade being penalized.}
1) Deadlines (Check the schedule of readings and assignments for the exact due date)
a. On time: the end of the day (11:59pm) on the due date listed on the schedule
b. Late for one letter grade penalty: after the end of the day on the due date through the end of the
day the next class date after the due date
c. Automatically Failed: any time after the end of the day the next class date after the due date
2) Submission
a. All papers must be submitted online in Blackboard by attaching a file via the safe-assignment
feature
3) Paper Details: Your paper will be divided into 3 main sections, along with an introduction and a
conclusion. It should be arranged according to the following format:
a. Length: The paper’s total word count should be between 1050 and 1525 words
b. Introduction: Begin with a brief introduction and a thesis statement. (About 75-125 words)
c. Sections: Each of the three main sections of the paper must consist of 300-400 words.
i. Section 1: Explain the position and arguments of one supporter on the topic.
ii. Section 2: Explain the position and arguments of one opponent on the topic.
iii. Section 3: Explain either which philosopher you agree with, or that you agree with
neither, and give 2 strong arguments that support your position.
d. Conclusion: End with a brief conclusion that restates the thesis and resolves the paper. (About 75-
200 words)
4) Formatting
e. Margins, font, and style: Follow the standard paper format as outlined in the Writing Policy and
Standard Format for Papers section of the syllabus. (Sec. 12)
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f.
Citation: If you use MLA then parenthetically cite the page or marginal number of any quotation
or paraphrase. If you use Chicago style then used endnotes, as opposed to footnotes. Include a
full bibliographical reference for each source on your works cited page at the end of the paper.
g. Sources: As this is a research paper, you should quote and cite at least one primary source for
each of the philosopher’s you will discuss. You may also quote and cite any number of secondary
sources that you like. However since this is a scholarly paper, you are not allowed to quote the
following sources…Wikipedia, or Sparknotes
i. Please Note: A primary source is the philosopher’s own words, so an obvious primary
source would be the article in our textbook.
h. Do not plagiarize! (Please reference the Academic Integrity section on the course outline [Sec.
15] for more information on plagiarism) You are responsible for not plagiarizing.
5) Additional Notes
i. Don’t give me pointless historical information or colorful commentary, just respond to the
arguments in a direct and concise fashion.
j. Don’t make baseless assertions. If you claim anything, then be prepared to back it up with a
corresponding argument.
k. Carefully edit your paper for spelling and grammatical errors. They will lower your grade.
l. Use of the first person is encouraged, but I am only concerned with what you can argue. Avoid
phrases like “I believe”.
6) Good Paper Checklist: A good paper will have all of the following,
______1. Formatted according to either MLA, Chicago, APA, or CSE style
______2. Double spaced
______3. One inch margins on all sides
______4. Times New Roman 12 point font, (or your word processors’ equivalent)
______5. Saved as either a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file
______6. Introductory Paragraph
______7. Thesis Statement
______8. 1st Main Paragraph - Explaining the position and arguments of one supporter on the
topic, using citations and quotations from the text
______9. 2nd Main Paragraph - Explain the position and arguments of one opponent on the
topic, using citations and quotations from the text
______10. 3rd Main Paragraph - Explain either which philosopher you agree with, or that you
agree with neither, and give 2 strong arguments that support your position
______11. Conclusion Paragraph
______12. Quotations for all the thinkers you reference
______13. Brief In text citations accompanying all quotations and paraphrases from your
sources
______14. A Works Cited Page/Bibliography
______15. NO POSSIBLE ATTEMPTS AT PLAGIARISM!