Students will analyze a case study from this website and explain what the soluti
Students will analyze a case study from this website and explain what the solution would be for someone using deontology and care ethics. Student will also explain what their preferred ethical solution would be using whatever ethical framework they prefer. The purpose of this assignment is for students to apply these ethical theories to a case and for the student to consider their own views on ethical questions, and critique other ethical frameworks.
Process: Students should consider doing the following:
1. Explain briefly (no more than a few sentences) the moral dilemma of the case study: what is the problem and who must decide what to do between what options. You can discuss what the character actually chose to do (if that is mentioned in the case study) but that isn’t the focus of this assignment. This part of your paper should be no more than a paragraph. If it is anything more than that you will likely not do well on this assignment.
2. Explain what either the character in the case study or someone in this position would do if they were following Kant’s version of deontology, and then explain what choice that person would make if they were following care ethics. This means students need to show how the character would employ the Principle of Humanity or the Categorical Imperative when explaining what a deontologist would use. Do not just assume that a maxim is going to be universalizable just because it is a widely accepted moral practice. Show there’s no contradiction or that the opposite of the maxim produces a contradiction.
3. Consider the obligations and limitations of care when explaining what a care ethicist would do.
4. Explain what your preferred ethical solution would be. If you think it is either the solution the deontologist or care ethicist would pick, then explain why that solution appeals to you. Give reasons for why it’s better than the other solutions available. If it is a different solution, then explain what moral principle you’re appealing to and why it’s better than the solutions the deontologist and care ethicist would have preferred.
5. Be sure to cite your sources including lecture notes and course readings. If you had to look something up then you have to cite.
You do not need a formal introduction or conclusion. Get to the point and finish by explaining what you did and why. You must choose to do what the utilitarian would do if you want full points.
Avoid:
Be sure to avoid the following:
Do not give a summary of the entire case study. Stick to what I’m asking you to do.
Avoid using outside sources other than the story you choice. There are a lot of different versions of utilitarian philosophy and different ways people talk about rights. I am asking you to use the specific theories we learned about in the course. If you don’t understand the lecture notes or readings, this is a good opportunity to email me about it. If you use outside materials you will lose points.
Absolutely no generative AI tools. No chat GPT or anything like it. Any use of it will automatically result in a zero for the assignment.
Other details: This assignment should be about 1,500-2,000 words long. Do not go over the word limit. Be sure that it is written in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced.
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethics-cases/