Ethics - Philosophy 330/Nursing 330 - Prof. William Sweet

 

Essay Topics

 

Instructions:

Length: 2500 words.

All essays must be typed and employ a consistent style for format and references, suitable to research in the humanities.

You may use only readings in the text or those listed below. If other resources are used, the essay will not be graded.

This essay is worth 30% of the final grade.

 

Deadline: Tuesday, March 29, in class. No extensions will be granted unless a medical certificate is provided. Extensions will then be given only for the number of days covered by the certificate.

 

Choose one of the following topics.

 

1. Should there be any limits on genetic engineering?

 

2. Should the sale and/or distribution of pornography be limited?

 

3. How far should ethnic and cultural diversity be accommodated in society?

 

4. What ethical limits should there be on how we engage in research on human subjects?

 

5. Does the practice of ‘genetic’ medicine affect our respect for the value of ‘disabled’ newborns?

 

6. Is ‘whistleblowing’ morally obligatory?

 

7. Does business have a moral responsibility?

 

A cautionary note concerning plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense, and has, as a maximum penalty, immediate dismissal from the university (see the StFX Academic Calendar). Students are expected to ensure that both written work and oral presentations respect this regulation. If you have any questions on this, see me.

 

 


Readings:

 

Topic 1: 1. Should there be any limits on genetic engineering?

 

Rifkin, Jeremy, "Genetic Politics," in The Moral Life, ed. Stephen Luper‑Foy and Curtis Brown, [on reserve]

Glover, Jonathan, "Decisions" in The Moral Life, ed. Luper‑Foy and Brown, [on reserve]

Ruse, Michael, "Genesis Revisited: Can we do better than God?" in The Moral Life, ed. Luper‑Foy and Brown, [on reserve]

 

 

Topic 2: Should the sale and/or distribution of pornography be limited?

 

Kostash, Myrna, “Whose Body? Whose Self? Beyond Pornography”, in Ethical Issues, Perspectives for Canadians, second edition  ed. Eldon Soifer [on reserve]

Christensen, Ferrel, “Excerpts from "Pornography: The Other Side"”, in Ethical Issues, ed. Soifer [on reserve]

Willis, Ellen, “Feminism, Moralism, and Pornography,” in Ethical Issues, ed. Soifer [on reserve]

 

 

Topic 3: How far should ethnic and cultural diversity be accommodated in society?

Haack, Susan. “Multiculturalism and Objectivity” , in Ethical Issues, Perspectives for Canadians, second edition  ed. Eldon Soifer [on reserve]

Bissoondath, Neil, The Limits of Diversity Excerpt from "Selling Illusions: The Cult of Multiculturalism in Canada" , in Ethical Issues, ed. Soifer [on reserve]

Taylor, Charles, “Excerpt from "Multiculturalism and 'The Politics of Recognition'"”, in Ethical Issues, ed. Soifer [on reserve]

 

 

Topic 4: What ethical limits should there be on how we engage in research on human subjects?

 

Weijer, Charles, “Placebo‑controlled trials in schizophrenia: Are they ethical? Are they necessary?, in Health Care Ethics in Canada, Second Canadian Edition, ed. Francoise Baylis, Joceyln Downie,

Barry Hoffmaster, Susan Sherwin (Thomson Nelson, 2004) [on reserve]

Miller, Franklin G. and Howard Brody, “A Critique of Clinical Equipoise: Therapeutic Misconception in the Ethics of Clinical Trials,” in Health Care Ethics in Canada, ed. Baylis, Downie, Hoffmaster, Sherwin. [on reserve]

Mastroianni, Anna and Jeffrey Kahn, “Swinging on the Pendulum: Shifting Views of Justice in Human Subjects Research,” in Health Care Ethics in Canada, ed. Baylis, Downie, Hoffmaster, Sherwin. [on reserve]

Plus: readings in the course textbook: Readings in Health Care Ethics, ed. Elisabeth Boetzkes & Wilfrid J. Waluchow, Broadview Press

 

Topic 5: Does the practice of ‘genetic' medicine affect our respect for the value of ‘disabled' newborns?

 

Readings in Health Care Ethics, ed. Elisabeth Boetzkes & Wilfrid J. Waluchow, Broadview Press, pp. 307-342

 

 

Topic 6:  Is ‘whistleblowing’ morally obligatory?

 

Michalos, Alex C. "The Loyal Agent's Argument" in Business Ethics in Canada ed. D. Poff and Waluchow. Wilfrid J. (Prentice‑Hall), 200-206 [on reserve]

Poff, D., “The Loyal Agent's Argument Revisited,” in Business Ethics in Canada ed. Poff and Waluchow, 207-09 [on reserve]

Elliston, Frederick "Anonymity and Whistleblowing," in Business Ethics in Canada ed. Poff and Waluchow, [on reserve]

Martin, Mike W. “Whistleblowing, Personal Life and Shared Responsibility,” in Business Ethics in Canada ed. Poff and Waluchow, [on reserve]

 

Topic 7:

 

Friedman, Milton, "Profits before Ethics," in Ethics for Modern Life, 3rd edition, ed. Raziel Abelson and Marie-Louise Friquenon New York: St Martin's, 1987. [on reserve]

Holmes, Robert L., "Ethics before Profits,” in Ethics for Modern Life, ed. Abelson and Friquenon [on reserve]

Stone, Christopher D., "Why Shouldn't Corporations Be Socially Responsible?" in Contemporary Moral Problems, 3rd edition., ed. James E. White, St Paul, MN: West Publishing, 1991. [on reserve]