Develop a 1000-1200 word essay (with a minimum of 850 words) that responds to either prompt A or prompt B below. Before writing carefully read the philosophy paper writing guidelines. Note, while you may use external sources, you will not be graded on your knowledge of those sources. You will be graded exclusively on the material presented in the text and in the course Explorations. Note also that submissions should be 1) double-spaced and 2) formatted according to MLA standards. This includes appropriately cited in-text citations, as well as a complete bibliography.
For more information on writing argumentative essays, please carefully read the writing guide.
Instructions
A. Divine Command Theory. According to Divine Command Theory (DCT), morality is determined by God. Explain the DCT, making sure to distinguish the "Unrestricted" version of the theory from the "Restricted" version. Then assess the theory.
Does either version provide a plausible account of morality (i.e. of what’s right, wrong, good or bad)? Is morality really determined by God’s commands? Why? Why not?
Following your introduction and thesis statement, your response should include in order:
(1) an explanation of DCT, including an account of Unrestricted and Restricted versions of the theory
(2) a thesis statement that conforms to the writing guide
(3) a brief discussion of why someone might find DCT appealing
(4) 1-2 objections to DCT (you might consider the Euthyphro dilemma, Nielsen’s argument, Nucci’s empirical studies discussed in the text, or some other challenge related to determinacy, consistency, applicability, intuitive appeal, internal support, external support, explanatory power)
(5) a critical evaluation of those objections (Can they be resolved? How might the Divine Command Theorist respond? Is this response plausible?)
(6) Following this analysis develop a brief conclusion that summarizes your arguments.
B. Moral Relativism. According to Moral Relativism, morality is determined by one’s culture. Explain the moral relativist’s position that morality is determined by culture, taking care to distinguish moral relativism from the context sensitivity thesis. Then assess the theory. Does moral relativism offer a plausible account of morality (i.e. what’s right, wrong, good and bad)? Is morality really determined by one’s culture? Why? Why not?
Following your introduction and thesis statement, your response should include in order:
(1) an explanation of moral relativism, including an account of how it differs from the context sensitivity thesis
(2) a thesis statement that conforms to the writing guide
(3) a brief discussion of why someone might final moral relativism appealing
(4) 1-2 objections to moral relativism (you might consider whether relativism plausibly follows from moral diversity and whether moral disagreements are fundamental, or some challenge related to one of the criteria of evaluation, i.e. determinacy, consistency, applicability, intuitive appeal, internal support, external support, explanatory power)
(5) a critical evaluation of those objections (Can they be resolved? How might a moral relativist response? Is this response plausible?)
(6) Following your analysis, develop a brief conclusion that summarizes your arguments.
See the Schedule and Course Rubrics in the Syllabus Module for due dates and grading information.