ETHC 323 Ethical Analysis Paper 3 Liberty University
In Module/Week 7 of this course, you will be required to compose a third Ethical Analysis Paper. This paper involves research into the history of ideas, but it is not a history research paper. For this paper, you must trace and analyze the question, “Why be moral?” as discussed by 4 philosophers of your choice found in the textbook (Duncan Richter, Why Be Good?). The essay must be supported by other required readings and extra-course reading research that you deem helpful to understand the philosophers’ ethical theories. Your analysis must discuss 2 Christian thinkers.
The paper must be 7–10 pages (not including the title page and bibliography), in current Turabian format, with default margins, and 12-pt Times New Roman font. Each paper must include citations to adequate sources supporting and/or illustrating your positions. Each paper must include a title page, and bibliography, also in current Turabian format. The style of the essay is a persuasive essay (see guidance). This means you must write a well-formed thesis statement that asserts the point of the paper’s argument and employs topic sentences that conceptually link to the thesis. The topic sentences are supported by the content within each 4–6-sentence paragraph.
The essay provides evidence using appropriate references (12 minimum per paper):
- At least 8 scholarly references from the course readings (2 per critical analysis of each respective philosopher) are required. This can include investigation of footnotes at the end of the chapters in the required readings, especially Why Be Good? Use the JFL online journals to retrieve articles found cited in the footnotes at the end of each chapter in the textbooks. You will need to conduct outside research and reading.
- Study and analyze any primary source quotations in the required readings. They can be included in your 8 references (above), but they must be well-developed and carefully analyzed.
- At least 4 Scripture references (1 per philosopher) are required. Do not proof text. Thoughtfully select those Scripture passages relevant to your answer and convey the biblical authors’ meaning as they intended and their audiences understood.
Academic Research Complete is a helpful database for conducting research. It can be set to select databases containing only philosophical, religious, and biblical databases. The JFL reference librarians can assist you. In addition, the text also provides leads in the footnotes.
Your analysis must employ critical thinking techniques, such as identifying and evaluating the philosopher’s arguments; comparing and contrasting philosophical positions; and anticipating opposing views to your interpretations and ideas. This will involve you addressing the metaphysical commitments and ethical theories assumed by the philosopher whom you are analyzing. Leave 2 pages toward the end of the paper for your own reflective evaluation and conclusion. You must include scriptural references as part of your evaluation. This is part of your overall argument.
Read the Ethical Analysis Paper 3 Grading Rubric carefully. As this an 8-week cycle, you will need to begin researching potential topics for your Ethical Analysis Paper 3 in Module/Week 1.