Capital Punishment
Order Description
Papers (30%) – Students will be assigned one paper These must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, 1inch margins. ALL LATE PAPERS WILL BE PENALIZED A FULL LETTER GRADE (an “A” to a “B” ) FOR EACH DAY LATE. A paper more than three days late will receive a “zero.” For additional paper preparation guidance, see the sections entitled “Writing Philosophy,” examples of papers, Additional Rubric guidelines, Citation Guidelines under ‘Course Content’ on D2L.
Papers should be clear in intent, well-organized, persuasively reasoned, and impeccably written. Proofread the paper, ask a friend to check for errors, use spell-check/grammar-check, read it aloud, and/or go the writing center. The paper will be graded on these kind of criteria, not on whether the professor agrees/disagrees with the arguments put forward. The exams in this course concern how well you are understanding the thought of the various philosophers we are studying. A paper is designed to help you begin to think philosophically, critically, and clearly, as well as enforce and enhance your communication and writing skills. These papers will not require further reading or library research per se — though this is not ruled out. What these assignments do demand is some serious thinking – thinking that demonstrates you have grappled with an issue of importance in the light of the best that has been written about it in the history of Western civilization.
CASE STUDY: Students will choose one case study from a list distributed later in the semester, regarding the topics in the final section – philosophy in action. You will choose ONE case study from the various alternatives to evaluate in accordance with the “Framework for Philosophical Application” below – this will serve as the guide for the structure of the essay.
A Framework for Philosophical Application – Learning about approaches and theories is a great resource with which one can apply to particular situations. However, the application of knowledge is much different than merely acquiring knowledge. This is the rationale behind the case studies. These studies/scenarios are either actual or realistically hypothetical cases involving numerous philosophical issues. Thus, the case study assignments have two primary goals: to provide an opportunity for you to practically apply philosophical points of view and reflections to real life/world situations; and, to assess your communication and critical thinking skills
To aid you in your approach to the case studies, I have constructed this guide, which you are to follow. This guide will enable you to think through numerous philosophical issues present in each case. Your case study will have FOUR major sections. To obtain maximum credit, all four sections in accordance with their criteria must be discussed. The questions in the case studies and under these points ARE NOT to be answered explicitly. These are merely guiding questions to stimulate your thought and approach to the issue. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ANSWER EACH INDIVIDUAL QUESTION!! This is not the nature of the assignment.

1. Recognize and Explain Philosophical Issues — You will choose one (1) case study that interests you in the area we are currently discussing in class. You must clearly state AT LEAST THREE philosophical issues (metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, political philosophy, etc.) AND explain why it is a philosophical issue! These issues are to be SPECIFIC to the case chosen. In other words, let’s say that you wrote on partial birth abortion. There are many moral issues involve, but for the sake of the assignment you would NOT merely state the moral issue to be abortion! This claim is the general area of discussion. In other words, how do you know that this involves a moral issue while deciding whether to wear a blue or read shirt probably is not a moral issue? You must indicate AND give reasons why the particular case displays the particular philosophical issue, AND BE SPECIFIC.

a. Is there something wrong personally, interpersonally, or socially? Is there conflict that could be damaging to people? to animals or the environment? to institutions? to society?
b. Does the issue go deeper than legal or institutional concerns? Is there a clear distinction between the moral and legal nature of the issue? What does it do to people as persons who have dignity, rights, and hopes for a better life together?
c. What religious perspectives or issues are present?
d. What things are claimed as “known” or “factual?” Are these certain? What is the relevance of that which is claimed to be known to metaphysical, moral, and political dimensions?
e. What metaphysical issues are present – body/mind/soul, reality, determinism, freedom, etc?

2. Get the Facts — What are the philosophically relevant facts of the case that help you identify particular philosophical issues? This is not a mere restating of everything in the case study. This involves relating things stated (or not stated) that you deem relevant in presenting and considering options for your decision.

a. What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? What is at stake for each? Do some have a greater stake because they have a special need or because we have special obligations to them? Are there other important stakeholders in addition to those directly involved?
b. Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted and is there a need to do so?
c. Are there particular methods, procedures, or circumstances that constitute certain obligations?
d. What part of the descriptions indicate issues of truth, reality, morality, knowledge, state, etc?

3. Evaluate The Alternative Actions From Various Perspectives – By this point, you will have to present some options for acting. YOU MUST PRESENT AT LEAST TWO OPTIONS FOR ACTING WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC CASE STUDY. These options will be options that you most likely do not deem persuasive, for in the final section of the essay you will present your position/option with respect to the case. Thus, a total of THREE perspectives will be related. In addition to your options presented, you must utilize at least TWO of the MAJOR philosophical perspectives discussed. You must explain how various philosophers would have responded to the particular case study you have chosen that would lead to real possible solutions. This aspect includes telling me WHY a particular theory or philosopher would present a particular option. Some could be applied on numerous fronts of the issue – in other words, J.S. Mill could be applied to argue for AND against capital punishment.

a. Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm?
b. Which option respects the rights and dignity of all stakeholders? Even if not everyone gets all they want, will everyone still be treated fairly/justly?
c. Which option would promote the common good and help all participate more fully in the goods we share as a society, as a community, as a company, as a family?
d. Which option would enable the deepening or development of those virtues or character traits that we value as individuals? as a profession? as a society?
e. What would a determinist, communist, dualist,…..(etc) do?

4. Make A Decision — Here is where you tell me what YOU THINK!!! None of the assignment thusfar has been necessarily your point of view. It has been you thinking through the issue. However, we can’t think about moral issues indefinitely; we must make a decision. Thus, AT THE END OF THE CASE STUDY (ie., the last section), tell me what you would do. You must give at least THREE REASONS why you think your decision is the best decision in light of the other possibilities considered.
a. Considering the various perspectives, which option do you think is the right thing to do?
b. What are strengths in your decision that are absent in others? How does your position avoid weaknesses encountered in other options? What makes something a strength and weakness?
c. How coherent and consistent is your option?
d. Are there possible objections to your view? If so, what are they and can you answer them?
e. What philosophical perspective may ground your view in approaching the particular case?