moral virtues
Write an essay on the following topics.
Under what conditions, if any, are voluntary active euthanasia and non-voluntary active euthanasia morally permissible?
In writing this essay, be sure to define key terms; clearly state your thesis; consider (in detail) the most compelling argument for the opposing thesis; explain precisely why that opposing argument fails; develop and explain a clear argument for your thesis; consider a powerful objection (counterexample) to your argument; respond thoughtfully to that objection.
Essays should be clearly referenced (in text, author’s last name, and page number), and should draw at least in part on some of the arguments presented in some of the course readings. No works cited page is needed unless you are using sources not assigned as part of the course readings.
It may be helpful to assume that you are writing for an intelligent, open-minded audience, and you are trying to argue why your view of the matter is correct or most rationally justified. Indeed, it might help to assume that your audience is slightly leaning to the opposing side, and so you will need to work hard to explain why the opposing arguments fail and why your side has better reasons behind it. As this is a philosophy paper, be sure to focus on arguments preferably stating them in standard form, and then defending them. Remember to be self-critical; think of possible weak spots in your argument; raise challenges to your argument, and explain how your argument can be defended against those challenges.
Please use some key terms in the essay:
- euthanasia
- difference between active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide
- Sanctity of Life Argument against active euthanasia
- Playing God Argument in support of the Sanctity of Human Life Principle
- The kantian argument in support of the Sanctity of Human Life Principle
- descriptive ethics
- normative ethics
- meta-ethics
- “argument”, “premise”, “conclusion”, “valid argument”, “invalid argument”, “sound argument”, “unsound argument”, “moral argument”, “inductive argument”, “standard form” and “counterexample”
- “reflective equilibrium”
- Cultural Relativism
- utilitarianism
- Kant’s conception
- prima facieduties
- Ross’ theory
- social contract theory
- Hobbes’s theory
- Rawls’s principles of justice
- virtue theory
- moral virtues
- the ethic of care
- status-oriented feminism