making a moral decision

Write 4–6 pages in which you invent a practical circumstance that illuminates differences between the three approaches to normative theory.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Multimedia

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:

• Relativism and Virtue.

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Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course: 

• Aristotle, & Henry-Lewes, G. (1890). The ethics of Aristotle: With introductory essay by George Henry Lewes (the Nicomachean ethics) (D. P. Chase, Trans.). London, GBR: Walter Scott Publishing Company.
• Brabeck, M. M. (Ed.). (2000). Practicing feminist ethics in psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• May, H. (2010). Aristotle's ethics. London, GBR: Continuum International.
• Stephens, W. O. (2007). Stoic ethics. London, GBR: Continuum International.
• Epictetus. (1996). The enchiridion, or manual (J. Fieser, Ed., & E. Carter, Trans.). South Bend, IN: Infoomotions, Inc.
• Babcock, W. S. (1988). Focus on Augustine's ethics: Introduction. Journal of Religious Ethics, 16(1), 3–9.
• Callahan, J. C. (1995). Reproduction, ethics and the law: Feminist perspectives. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Assessment Instructions

For this assessment, you will invent a practical circumstance of your own choosing that illuminates differences among the three approaches to normative theory; a circumstance in which the duties, consequences, and virtues do not align with each other. It does not need to be a grand, controversial social issue; an everyday moral dilemma will make the conflict clearer. Just look for an example where doing your duty might cause lasting harm, or where caring about people requires breaking the rules.

Write a paper addressing this topic, supporting your statements with credible research on the three approaches to normative theory. You may begin your research with the Suggested Resources for this unit, but you are also expected to conduct your own independent research into the scholarly and professional resources of the field.

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 theoretical applications. Be sure to describe the situation with enough detail to provide adequate information for arriving at a responsible choice. You are welcome to choose a case in which you are personally involved, but you may find it easier to think objectively with a little detachment.

Next, think about the kinds of normative theory that could be applied to the situation you have chosen. If we are not to surrender to ethical relativism, what should guide our decision here—duties, outcomes, or virtue? You should select the approaches in a way that heightens the dilemma of deciding on a course of action that would be right or wrong. 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 these 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 merits of each way of thinking about everyday choices. What makes the most sense, and how would you decide yourself? State your own position on which normative theory works best, and defend that position with clear arguments in its support.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Include a title page and a references page, formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
• References: A typical paper will include support from a minimum of 3–5 references. You may use some of the materials recommended in the Resources, but you should also include support from your independent research of scholarly or professional materials.
• Length: A typical paper will be 4–6 typed, double-spaced pages in length.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.

Making a Moral Decision Scoring Guide

CRITERIA NON-PERFORMANCE BASIC PROFICIENT DISTINGUISHED Describe a concrete situation that calls for making an ethical decision. Does not describe a concrete situation that calls for making an ethical decision. Describes a concrete situation but does not include enough information for making an ethical decision. Describes a concrete situation that calls for making an ethical decision. Explains a concrete situation that calls for making an ethical decision. Apply traditional theories of normative ethics to a concrete situation. Does not apply traditional theories of normative ethics to a concrete situation. Offers a cursory application of traditional theories of normative ethics to a concrete situation. Applies traditional theories of normative ethics to a concrete situation. Evaluates traditional theories of normative ethics to a concrete situation, with supportive detail. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory. Does not list the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory. Lists advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory. Describes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory. Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory. Defend a coherent personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct. Does not state a coherent personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct. States a personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct, but does not defend it. Defends a coherent personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct. Develops well-reasoned support for a coherent personal conviction about the best foundation for ethical conduct, supporting the personal conviction with research. Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professional communities. Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, or consistent with expectations for members of professional communities. Communicates inconsistently in a manner of scholarly and professional expectations for members of professional communities. Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities. Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.