Analysis Paper Guidelines
- 5 page double spaced paper (standard font).
- You should cite 2 outside sources. They can be from any type of source, but they should provide evidence that adds something to the content (don’t cite something we already know)
- Choose one of the readings for Unit 4 from the Right Thing to Do Book and then write on the related series of prompts.
- Rachels, James and Stuart, The Right Thing to Do, 6th or 7th edition (abbreviated RTD)
- “Alcohol and Rape,” Nicholas Dixon.
Does the consumption of alcohol affect the morality of sex? Should someone be legally responsible for the consumption of alcohol of their sexual partner? If so, in which cases should a person be prosecuted for rape because of the consumption of alcohol of their partner? If not, how would you excuse a case where someone fixes another strong drinks with the intention of getting that personer too drunk to resist? In either case address the morality of sex where both parties have consumed alcohol. - “America’s Unjust Drug War,” Michael Huemer.
Does Huemer offer a compelling argument that we have a right to use drugs? If so, how far does this right extend? Are there other rights that it balances against? If Huemer does not give a compelling argument for the right to use drugs why not? In this case respond to Huemer’s claim that it would be wrong to prosecute us for all sorts of things that are bad for ourselves and for others (e.g. like being a jerk). - “All Animals are Equal,” Peter Singer
Is there any moral justification for eating a factory farmed steak? If so, how would you respond to Singer’s claims about the moral relevance of suffering and the argument from marginal cases? If not, does Singer’s argument for humane treatment of animals create a compelling argument for vegetarianism? In other words if we treat them nicely during their lives and slaughter them humanely, can we still eat them? - “The Singer Solution to World Poverty,” Peter Singer
Does Singer make a convincing case that you have an obligation to give famine relief? Why doesn’t Singer care whether anyone else recognizes this obligation? How would Singer reply to the claim that “it’s my money, I should get to do with it whatever I want”? Do you think that people 100 years from now will judge us negatively for how little is done to help people in poverty?
