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.
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]
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
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
Mastroianni,
Anna and Jeffrey Kahn, “Swinging on the Pendulum: Shifting Views of Justice in
Human Subjects Research,” in Health Care
Ethics in
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
Poff,
D., “The Loyal Agent's Argument Revisited,” in Business Ethics in
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]