Westcoast PHIL251 Complete Course Latest 2021 September (Full)

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 1 Discussion

Select one of the four scenarios that you believe is the most ethical. Next, using the ethical concepts you read in your textbook, explain why you have chosen that option and align your stance with at least two of the following ethical concepts:

Intuitionism

Emotivism

Objectivism

Subjectivism

Relativism

Pluralism

Tolerance

Egoism

Altruism

Social contract

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 2 Discussion

While considering the role of religion in different cultures, how do you think feminist approaches to morality can change the way we address moral dilemmas globally?

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 3 Discussion

Referencing the Trolley Problem in your e-text, discuss the following questions:

If you were to stand at the Trolley’s switch, what would you decide to do? Why?

What if the scenario had you on the bridge? Would your decision be the same or different than the switch? Why?

In what ways does the Trolley Problem apply today?

 

 

 

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 4 Discussion

Referencing the case on defining marriage  Download the case on defining marriagein your e-text, share your thoughts on the following questions:

Should marriage be open to a variety of arrangements? Why or why not?

Is there a connection between the variations of two partner marriages and polygamy?

Justify your response with specific references to the philosophical concepts discussed your assigned readings.

Defining Marriage

Maria is opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage. In a recent conversation in the school cafeteria, Maria argues, “If homosexuals are allowed to marry, then why not allow polygamy or other kinds of marriages?” Richard is gay. He responds, “That’s ridiculous. All we’re asking is that our relationships be respected by society and the law. Nobody is asking to legalize polygamy. Even the Mormons have given up on polygamy.” Maria replies, “I know the Mormon Church no longer officially approves of it. But there are still Mormons who live in polygamous families. What if some of those folks—or Muslims who live in the U.S.—want to legalize polygamy?” Richard thinks about it for a minute and then replies, “I still think you are comparing apples and oranges. Same-sex marriage is not at all like polygamous marriage. I’m talking about marriage between two and only two committed partners, not marriage of multiple partners. You can legalize the one without legalizing the other. You think that there’s a slippery slope here. But I deny it.” Maria responds, “How can you draw the line once you open the door to nontraditional marriage?”

Excerpt from E-text: MacKinnon, Barbara &Fiala, Andrew. (2018). Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 5 Discussion

Click to view the Death with Dignity Scenario. (Links to an external site.)

Then, interview at least two people to ask about their opinions about the following questions:

What is your opinion on physician-assisted suicide?

Are there moral differences between abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and capital punishment? What are they?

In your discussion post, address the following question:

What moral or ethical concepts could you identify in the interviewee’s responses?

Did anything surprise you during the interview? What?

Did your personal opinion shape the conversation at all? How?

In your peer responses, share similarities and/or address any questions you have

 

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 6 Discussion

Complete your Week 6 required discussion prompt.

This week’s discussion is a peer review of your signature assignment rough draft. To participate in this peer review process, please follow the steps below:

Click the discussion forum link Week 6 Peer Review Assignment

Click the Create Thread button and title your thread according to Firstname_Lastname_Rough_Draft

Post your rough draft as an attachment to your thread. Your draft should be posted according to the discussion board post guidelines.

Review the rough draft of the essay posted in the thread directly below yours in this forum.

Sometimes confusion occurs. If the essay directly below yours already has a review posted, choose and review an essay that does not yet have a review.

If your draft is the last posted, review the first draft posted.

Reply to your peer’s post in their thread:

Share two strengths of the rough draft.

Respectfully share two aspects of the rough draft that could be improved before the final submission.

Respectfully share any remaining questions that you have about the topic being presented.

To receive full credit for this assignment, you will need to post your rough draft and offer written feedback for a peer’s draft in the discussion forum. You are only required to respond to one peer.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 7 Discussion

Click to view the Animal Research Learning Scenario. (Links to an external site.)

Discuss the following:

Explain your stance on animal research. Justify your opinion.

How regulated should animal research be in the United States? How regulated should it be internationally?

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 8 Discussion

Let’s consider terrorism. Discuss the following questions:

Would you morally justify a terrorist attack against an authoritarian regime that has an unjust economic policy in a disadvantaged country? Why or why not?

 Would you morally justify terrorism against a genocidal regime? Why or why not?

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 1 Assignment

Morality Paper

Consider a current topic that you have a strong opinion about and the moral implications surrounding this topic. With this in mind, address the follows questions in a one- to two-page paper that following APA Style guidelines:

Briefly state your topic and your opinion.

What is meant by taking the moral point of view?

What experiences have shaped your moral opinion about your topic?

Consider Plato's story about Gyges found in your textbook. Does the idea of the Ring of Gyges affect your moral point of view? Why or why not?

Review the rubric for specific grading criteria.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 2 Assignment

Religious Perspectives Paper

For this assignment, you will write a one- to two-page paper in APA Style format with at least two references outlining two different perspectives on end-of-life care. Select two of the following perspectives for your research:

Catholicism

Protestantism

Judaism

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Secularism

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 3 Assignment

Research Paper Topic

In this class we will cover contemporary issues including:

Euthanasia

Abortion

Sexual morality

Discrimination

Economic justice

The death penalty

Environmental ethics

Animal research

Violence and war

Global justice

For this assignment, you will select a topic for your signature assignment (a research paper on contemporary ethics). Your topic must include at least one moral issue. You can choose one of the practical issues that will be discussed during the rest of this course or, with approval from your instructor, you can select a topic of your choice. You must submit two paragraphs in APA Style format on your topic for instructor approval. In your submission, include:

Paragraph 1:

Identify and describe your current event topic.

Explain why you are interested in writing about this topic.

Paragraph 2:

Explain the controversy and moral relevance of the situation.

Discuss any challenges that you might face or obstacles you can foresee that you will have to overcome to write about your chosen topic.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 5 Assignment

Research Paper Rough Draft

This week, you will submit a rough draft of your signature assignment to receive feedback from your instructor. For your signature assignment, you will apply ethical theory to contemporary issues in a three- to five-page research paper. Follow the steps below to get started.

Choose a current event that has moral implications (for example, universal healthcare legislation, advanced directives, vaccinations, and stem cell research).

Research the history and social context of the event.

Identify the moral relevance of the situation.

Evaluate and present the arguments surrounding the event through an unbiased approach. Apply ethical theories and moral reasoning in your evaluation.

Your rough draft must include:

An introduction that provides relevant background information

A minimum of four body paragraphs written in a neutral tone that supports both sides of the topic

A minimum of three references from reliable sources

You may include your textbook as one resource; however, one reference must be from a scholarly, academic article.

All references must be cited at least once in the paper.

A conclusion that addresses the main point of the paper and wider implications

Formatting, citations, and references must adhere to APA Style.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 6 Assignment

Inequalities Paper

For this assignment, you will write a one-page paper in APA Style format that addresses the following:

What, if any, connection is there between social and economic injustice?

Do you think that contemporary culture may unconsciously perpetuate or increase discrimination? If so, provide one current example. If not, share how you feel contemporary culture does or does not affect discrimination.

What social policies would you defend to mitigate social discrimination?

Your paper must have a minimum of two citations.

 

PHIL251 Survey of Contemporary Ethics

Week 8 Assignment

Research Paper

For your signature assignment, you will take your rough draft from week 5 and finalize it into a polished three- to five-page research paper that follows APA Style guidelines. Be sure to apply feedback and critiques from your instructor and peer review. Additionally, your research paper must include an APA Style formatted title page and reference list.Review the rubric for specific grading criteria.