Your task in this essay is to assess how well the abstract theories of normative ethics apply to the practical situations we face in everyday life. Begin by describing a concrete situation that calls for someone to make an ethical decision about what to do. Choosing your example carefully will make it easier to draw an interesting contrast between the applications of different normative theories. Be sure to describe the situation with enough detail to provide adequate information for arriving at a responsible choice.
Next, show how two of the three kinds of normative theory we studied last week apply to the situation you have chosen. One of the theories should be the one you plan to defend; the other should be a distinct approach that draws attention to the ethical dilemma it poses. You will want to support your presentation by considering alternative ways of applying each theory to the case. Use your example to compare and contrast the theoretical approaches in practical terms.
Finally, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two normative theories as methods for making moral decisions in practical cases. Use what you have written about the application of each theory to your example as evidence of the relative merits of each way of thinking about everyday choices. State your position on which normative theory you think is best, and defend that position with clear arguments.
Describes a well-chosen concrete situation, including most of the information relevant for making an ethical decision.
Applies the traditional theories of normative ethics to the concrete situation, providing ample contrastive detail.
Evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory, providing support in the form of illustrative examples.
States a coherent personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct and defends it with well-reasoned support.
