Applied Ethics

In this writing assignment, you will evaluate a contemporary moral issue in relation to moral theories, a specific moral system, and a personal moral system.

Step 1: Conduct research and select a news story.
Throughout your studies, you have been exposed to many moral theories. You have probably agreed with some and disagreed with others. In this assignment, you have the opportunity to explore some of these theories more fully by applying the theories to a contemporary issue.

Using the Internet, select a recent news story that involves a contemporary moral issue. Examples might include, but are not limited to:

• Capital punishment
• Abortion
• Euthanasia
• Mercy killing
• Affirmative action
• Cloning

Conduct further Internet research to identify three differing proposed solutions or positions related to the news story.

Step 2: Write an 800+ word essay. In your essay, complete these tasks:

• Summarize the news story.
• Apply the appropriate ethical theories you have studied to the three solutions/positions you identified in your research. Explain your reasoning.
• Compare possible outcomes of the solutions/positions represented by the ethical theories.
• Critique the solutions/positions in light of your personal moral system and defend your position.

Step 3: Save and submit your assignment.

When you have completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself in an easily accessible place and submit a copy to your instructor.

Cite any sources in APA format.