Topics and Guidelines for Paper #2

For this paper you have a choice between two topics. Each topic is structured in the same way, and similar to the last paper (paper #1), consisting of 5 main parts: (1) Introduction, (2) Opinion #1, in which you present and offer evidence for an opinion that ultimately will be refuted, (3) a Critique of Opinion 1, in which you indicate precisely what is wrong about opinion #1, (4) Opinion #2 in which you present and give evidence for an opinion opposed to Opinion #1, and (5) Conclusion, in which you sum up your argument and any further implications it has for living a happy life.

In your paper, provide evidence (reasons, examples, research, etc.) for each of the main steps of reasoning, and define important terms.

Topic A: Virtue and Passion

Is wanting (with your emotions) to do the right thing important for the happy life? Present the opinion that wanting to do the right thing does not matter for the happy life, as long as you do the right thing (Kant’s thesis). Support this opinion with evidence and examples, etc. Next, show why this opinion is not correct. Then argue against this opinion, showing that wanting to do the right thing is part of the happy life, because the ideal state is when emotions, will and reason all act without conflict (St. Thomas Aquinas’ thesis). See Jensen, Living the Good Life, Ch. 6, “Doing Right and Desiring Right”; Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (on Blackboard), “First Section: Transition from Common Rational Moral Cognition to Philosophical Moral Cognition,” pages 9-15, especially pages 9, 14, and 15, for a discussion of this topic.

Introduction

Opinion #1: Desiring the right things emotionally is not necessary as long as you do the right thing (or, someone who overcomes temptations and does the right thing even though he/she does not feel like it is more virtuous or heroic than someone who does the right thing easily without a struggle). Support this opinion with examples/evidence, etc.

Critique of Opinion #1: say what is wrong with Opinion #1.

Opinion #2: It is better when someone not only does the right action, but emotionally desires to do the right action as well, because then there is no conflict between emotions, reason, and will. Support this opinion with reasons/examples/evidence, etc.

Conclusion of paper

Topic B: The Morality of Abortion

Present an argument for the opinion that abortion is not necessarily wrong, or is right. Defend the premises of this argument (i.e. provide support/evidence for the claims). Next, reply to the argument pointing out which premise is false, or what is incorrect in the argument. Then, give an argument that abortion is wrong. See Jensen, Living the Good Life, Ch. 9, “Injustice”; St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae II-II, Question 64, Article 6 (on blackboard); Christopher Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion: Women’s Rights, Human Life, and the Question of Justice (on blackboard).

Introduction

Opinion #1: [You may choose any of the following common opinions, a modification of one of these opinions, or another opinion in favor of abortion, for Opinion #1; choose only one option to present in your paper].

Suggestions:

Abortion is legal; what is legal is right; therefore abortion is right.

Making abortion illegal would lead to unsafe abortions; we should prevent unsafe abortions; therefore we should keep abortion legal.

Abortion promotes a woman’s reproductive freedom by eliminating her subordination to men (because when abortion is available women are not forced to carry and give birth to children, which is one way men can impose burdens on women that men themselves do not have to carry); whatever promotes women’s freedom should be legal; Therefore abortion should be legal.

For many women in crisis, abortion is the compassionate option; the compassionate option is the right option; therefore abortion is right.

In some cases carrying a child and/or giving birth poses grave threats of physical or psychological harm or even death to the mother (such as in cases of rape or of a threat to the mother’s life); women should not be forced to do something that poses a grave threat to their well-being; therefore, abortion is permissible.

Critique of Opinion #1: say what is wrong about Opinion #1. [If you chose one of the suggested arguments above, choose from the following the corresponding option.]

Not everything that is or has been legal is right. (offer examples)

The fact that something would be unsafe if outlawed is not sufficient reason not to outlaw it if it is a grave evil. (offer examples)

Abortion may not be the best solution to oppression, since it targets the results of oppression and does not address the root causes.

Compassion is different than pity. Compassion means, literally, “suffering with” a person, and sticking with her for the long haul. Thus, the compassionate option seems to be offering financial, medical, and emotional support and assistance so that a woman can go through with the pregnancy and either keep child or give him or her for adoption.

Rape: The circumstances of a conception do not change the innocence or humanity of the one conceived. Also, it is questionable whether abortion is a good solution to the evil of rape. See Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion (on blackboard), especially pages 183-185 for a discussion of this topic.

Threat to the mother’s life: These cases are becoming increasingly rare. In the most common (ectopic pregnancies), there are safe, morally permissible, and effective alternatives to abortion. Even when there is no alternative, however, we accept that there are some evils that must never be committed, no matter the burden this imposes (examples). See Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion (on blackboard), especially pages 185-190, for a discussion of this topic.

Opinion #2: Abortion is killing an innocent human and so is not permissible. On the first set of guidelines I provided a common argument you can use, or you can use your own thoughts and research to come up with your own opinion and evidence in response to Opinion #1. You can also use Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion (posted on blackboard).

Conclusion of paper

Length:Minimum around 600 words, maximum around 900 words.

Format:The paper should be double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Include a title page with the title of your paper, your name, the due date of the paper, instructor’s name, and course number (2314).

Citation:You may cite (use quotations) from any text, as long as you clearly indicate its source using quotation marks and a footnote. Footnotes should be formatted according to Chicago style, but I will also accept a consistent use of other styles. New: Include a bibliography at the end of your paper.

Dialogue Structure (Optional): If you wish, you may structure your paper in the form of a dialogue or debate (written as a play is written) between two people or groups. If you do so, you must include the same basic elements as outlined above. Also include a short introduction explaining the setting and a little about the characters in the dialogue.

Due:Monday, April 29th. Submit your paper electronically. Submit a copy of your paper both to Turnitin.com and through Blackboard. Please also bring a printed copy of your paper to class on Tuesday, April 30th. Both Turnitin and Blackboard check papers for plagiarism. Any paper that is not submitted electronically by the end of the due date is late, and late papers will be penalized.

Additional Help:I am happy to help with your paper during office hours or by appointment. You are welcome to bring a draft of your paper if you would like me to look at it.