ethical theories and perspectives 1
Overview
Now that you have explored the five ethical theories in Chapter 2 and discussed them with peers, you will use the perspectives in Chapter 3 to analyze one of the theories in greater depth. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of following that ethical theory in both personal and professional decision-making. This understanding is a step toward analyzing bioethical issues and forming an individual statement of bioethics in your course project. Note: This paper and your bioethical manifesto from Unit 1 will be sources of ideas for an introduction to evaluating ethical approaches in the course project.
Assignment Instructions
Your assignment will be scored according to the criteria outlined in the Bioethical Manifesto Scoring Guide. Refer to the scoring guide often as you develop your assignment, to be sure you are addressing the essential criteria.
Choose one of the ethical theories from Chapter 2 in your Campbell text. Note: You will choose one theory for this unit and a different one in each of the units after that. By doing this, you will consider each of the five theories by Unit 5.
- Analyze the theory you have chosen, in terms of its internal coherency and practical use.
- Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, using perspectives discussed in Chapter 3 of the Campbell text.
- Examine contexts in which the theory works better and worse.
Your assignment will be scored according to the criteria outlined in the Ethical Theories and Perspectives Scoring Guide. Refer to the scoring guide often as you develop your assignment, to be sure you are addressing the essential criteria.
Submission Requirements
- Academic honesty: Submit your paper to Turnitin before your submit for grading.
- Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting.
- Length: 1–2 double-spaced, typed pages.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
CRITERIA | NON-PERFORMANCE | BASIC | PROFICIENT | DISTINGUISHED |
---|---|---|---|---|
Explain contexts in which an ethical theory works better or worse. 30% |
Does not list contexts in which an ethical theory works better or worse. | Lists contexts in which an ethical theory works better or worse, with insufficient detail or depth. | Explains contexts in which an ethical theory works better or worse. | Characterizes why ethical theories work better or worse in different contexts. |
Analyze a theory of ethical reasoning, in terms of internal coherency and practical use. 30% |
Does not describe elements of a theory of ethical reasoning. | Describes elements of a theory of ethical reasoning, without addressing coherency or practicality. | Analyzes a theory of ethical reasoning, in terms of internal coherency and practical use. | Analyzes a theory of ethical reasoning, in terms of internal coherency and practical use, and elaborates criteria used to evaluate those aspects. |
Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of a theory of ethical reasoning, using ethical perspectives. 30% |
Does not evaluate strengths or weaknesses of a theory of ethical reasoning. | Describes either strengths or weaknesses of an ethical theory, or omits discussion of perspectives. | Evaluates strengths and weaknesses of a principle of ethical theory, using ethical perspectives. | Evaluates strengths and weaknesses of an ethical theory, using ethical perspectives, with attention to the weight given the different ethical perspectives. |
Construct a logical, organized, written argument with few mechanical errors. 10% |
Does not outline an argument and/or performs mechanical errors that inhibit comprehension. | Outlines an argument with significant mechanical errors. | Constructs a logical, organized, written argument with few mechanical errors. | Constructs an argument with exemplary mechanics and expression. |