I. Prompt
(a) Pick one of the three ethical theories we discussed in class (utilitarianism, Kantian ethics,
or virtue ethics). According to this ethical theory, what makes an action obligatory or
prohibited?
(b) Describe a duty to others described in Exodus 20 or the in the
Quran 6:151-153; 17:23-39 .
(c) Explain why we have the duty you described in (b) using the ethical theory you described
in (a).
(d) Explain why, despite this agreement between the ethical theory you described in (a) and
the purportedly divine command you described in (b), some philosophers think that the
ethical theory you described in (a) is not the correct explanation of what makes actions
obligatory or prohibited.
You must support your answers to (a), (c), and (d) with citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
II. Format
The body of your paper should be at least three pages and no longer than four pages (that is, not including your cover page or works cited page). Your paper should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font with double spacing between lines, no extra spacing between paragraphs, and one-inch margins on left, right, top, and bottom.
III. Grading Rubric
Thesis (10%)
Exemplary: The paper contains a thesis statement which is clear, follows the prompt, and is the first sentence of the paper.
Proficient: The thesis statement does not follow the prompt or is unclear.
Satisfactory: The thesis statement neither follows the prompt nor is clear.
Basic: The thesis statement is not at the beginning of the paper.
Unsatisfactory: The paper contains no thesis statement.
Content (60%)
Part (a) (15%)
5 The answer is both clear and correct.
4 The answer is clear but not correct.
3 The answer is neither correct nor clear, but is still is not too far off.
2 The answer is way off.
1 No answer is given.
Part (b) (15%)
5 The answer is both clear and correct.
4 The answer is clear but not correct.
3 The answer is neither correct nor clear, but is still is not too far off.
2 The answer is way off.
1 No answer is given.
Part (c) (15%)
5 The answer is both clear and correct.
4 The answer is clear but not correct.
3 The answer is neither correct nor clear, but is still is not too far off.
2 The answer is way off.
1 No answer is given.
Part (d) (15%)
5 The answer is both clear and correct.
4 The answer is clear but not correct.
3 The answer is neither correct nor clear, but is still is not too far off.
2 The answer is way off.
1 No answer is given.
Support (10%)
Exemplary: Answers to (a), (c), and (d) are supported by citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
Proficient: A few statements in the Answers to (a), (c), and (d) are not supported by citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
Satisfactory: Several statements in the answers to answers to (a), (c), and (d) are not supported by citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Basic: Most statements in the answers to (a), (c), and (d) are not supported by citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
Unsatisfactory: No statements in the answers to (a), (c), and (d) are supported by citations from Mill’s Utilitarianism, Kant’s Groundwork, or Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
Spelling, grammar, and word choice (10%)
Exemplary: The paper contains no errors or only a few trivial errors.
Proficient: The paper is understandable but contains minor errors.
Satisfactory: The paper is understandable but contains multiple serious errors.
Basic: The errors make at least one sentence of the paper incomprehensible.
Unsatisfactory: The errors make more than one sentence of the paper incomprehensible.
In-text citations and Works Cited page (10%)
Exemplary: In-text citations and citations on the works cited page are in conformity with APA style.
Proficient: In-text citations and citations on the works cited page deviate from APA style in at least one way.
Satisfactory: In-text citations and citations on the works cited page deviate from APA style in at least two ways.
Basic: There are citations in the text but no works cited page, or there is a works cited page but there are no citations in the text.
Unsatisfactory: There are no citations in the text and there is no works cited page.
0 comments