Identify, explain, and apply the core principles of at      least two ethical theories to draw specific moral conclusions about the      problem you are discussing.

Applied Ethics
Please read these assignment instructions before writing your paper, and re-read them often during and after the writing process to make sure that you are fulfilling all of the instructions.
Overview
In the Week One Assignment, you chose a concrete moral problem, identified three ethically significant issues that pertain to that problem, and constructed a thesis statement that articulated your position on that problem. In the Week Three Assignment, you discussed either deontological or utilitarian theory, applied that theory to the problem, and raised a relevant objection.
By engaging with the course material, you now have had a chance to refine your thinking and broaden your understanding of the issue by approaching it from the perspective of multiple ethical theories.
In this paper, you will demonstrate what you have learned by writing an essay in which you

• Present a revised thesis statement on the problem you      are discussing.
• Identify, explain, and apply the core principles of at      least two ethical theories to draw specific moral conclusions about the      problem you are discussing.
• Present your own reasoning on the problem you are      discussing and explain which of the ethical theories best supports your      own view on the issues.

Instructions
Write an essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper must be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:

1. Introduction (150 to 200      words):
   • Your first paragraph should introduce the topic by       briefly and precisely discussing the concrete problem or question that       you will be addressing, including a brief preview of the ethically       significant issues that make this question important. This should draw       upon your work in the Week One Assignment, but should be more succinct       and reflect the development of your understanding of those ideas throughout       the course.
   • Conclude your introductory paragraph with the revised       statement of your thesis, and a brief description of the primary       reason(s) supporting your position. (If you changed topics, you will need       to repeat the exercises from the Week One Assignment, including using the       Thesis Generator from the Ashford Writing Center. Please see the notes       and guidelines for more on this).
2. Application of Two Ethical      Theories (1000 to 1200 words):
   This section of the Final Paper consists in explaining and applying the      core principles of two ethical theories to the question or problem you      have chosen. One of these theories may be the theory you used in your Week      Three Assignment, but your discussion here should be more refined and must      identify the specific moral conclusions(s) that result when the theory is      applied to the question or problem you are addressing.

   For each of the theories you are considering, you should

   1. Explain the core principles or features of the theory       and the general account of moral behavior it provides.
   2. Explain how these principles or features apply to the       problem or question under consideration and identify the specific moral       conclusion that results when these theories are applied to that problem       or question.
      • A specific moral conclusion        is a statement that takes a moral stance on the issue at hand. For        example, if you’re discussing the question, “Is the death penalty        moral?” a discussion that identifies and applies the core principles of        utilitarian theory might yield the specific conclusion that the death        penalty is moral because it ensures the greatest good for the greatest        number. Applying virtue ethics might conclude that the death penalty        exhibits the vice of cruelty, or a deontological theory might worry that        it fails to treat the criminal as an end-in-itself. (Note: These are        just examples; you may not write on the death penalty, nor is it        necessarily the case that each theory would lead to the conclusion        mentioned).
      • For purpose of this        assignment, it’s best if you explain and apply the core principles of        one theory first, and then turn to the second theory. This section of        the paper should be approximately 1000 to 1200 words (500 to 600 words        for each theory application).
3. Evaluation (150 to 300 words):
   In this section of the paper, you should explain which ethical theory you      think presents the most persuasive moral argument on this question and      why. Then briefly address a common objection to that argument that you      have not yet considered in the main part of your paper, and provide a      concise response to that objection.
   • For example, if you were writing on capital       punishment, you might think that a utilitarian argument that defends       position X is most persuasive. You would then raise an objection against       a utilitarian defense of position X, and defend that view against the       objection.
4. Conclusion (150 to 300 words):
   Provide a conclusion that sums up what you presented in the paper and      offers some final reflections, including a revised statement of the thesis      (do not simply repeat your thesis, but rephrase it in light of the      discussion you just presented).

Resource Requirement:
You must use at least four resources. Two of the resources must be drawn from the list of acceptable resources on each of the two theories you discuss. For example, if you write on deontology and virtue ethics, you would need at least one resource under the “Deontology” list, and at least one resource under the “Virtue Ethics” list. The other two may be from either the Required or Recommended Resources, or from the Ashford University Library.

• If you need help with finding additional resources, or      are unsure about whether a particular resource will count toward the      requirement, please contact your instructor.
• The textbook does not count toward the resource      requirement.
• Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on      the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and      tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources      tab on the left navigation toolbar.

Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

1. Must be 1500 to 2000 words in length (excluding title      and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in      the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   1. Title of paper
   2. Student’s name
   3. Course name and number
   4. Instructor’s name
   5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a      succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least four resources.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in      the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted      according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.