GMOR 150 – Contemporary Moral Issues
Major Essay Assignment
Write a 1500-1700 word essay (about 5 pages if typed and double-spaced in
Times New Roman 12 pt. font) in answer to ONE of the following
questions:
1) Explain how Kant’s “respect for persons” principle would apply to
business practices. Can a business genuinely embody the ideals of a
Kantian moral community, or are these ideals too demanding? Defend
your answer drawing on the reading by Norman Bowie.
2) In his article, “Utilitarianism and Animals”, Gaverick Matheny
concludes that we ought to make changes to our institutions and habits,
“most immediately, that we become vegetarian or preferably vegan”
(p.24). This viewpoint would be shared by the protestors at the Six
Nations’ deer hunt described in the Globe and Mail newspaper article
available in the Blackboard learning materials on this subject. Explain
how Matheny reaches his conclusion along with how you think the deer
hunt should be evaluated on utilitarian grounds. Do you agree with
Matheny’s conclusion in light of your evaluation? Defend your answer.
3) Is medical assistance in dying (voluntary euthanasia) a morally
acceptable practice in at least some circumstances? Drawing on our
course learning materials and discussion of the debate in the present,
Canadian context, along with the readings by James Rachels and
Thomas Sullivan, explain what you take to be the most persuasive
arguments on both sides of this issue and defend a position of your own
with respect to it. (Hint: ‘most persuasive’ means you shouldn’t be
summarizing every point raised in the assigned readings – be selective.)
