Assignment: Research Paper — Philosophical Ethics in Contemporary Society

Purpose

The research paper develops advanced analytical and evaluative skills through philosophical reasoning applied to modern ethical issues. Students will demonstrate their capacity to synthesize primary philosophical texts with scholarly commentary, applying critical argumentation rooted in Christian worldview perspectives.

Instructions

Prepare a 1,500–2,000-word research paper addressing one contemporary moral or social issue (e.g., artificial intelligence ethics, political polarization, bioethics, just war, environmental stewardship, or digital surveillance) through the lens of at least two major philosophical frameworks. At least one framework must be classical (Aristotelian, Kantian, or Utilitarian) and one contemporary (virtue ethics, care ethics, postmodern ethics, or Christian ethics).

Requirements

• Use 5–7 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (journal articles, academic books, or edited volumes published 2018–2026).
• Include direct engagement with primary philosophical texts (e.g., Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Kant’s Groundwork, Mill’s Utilitarianism).
• Integrate Biblical or theological reflection where relevant, aligning philosophical reasoning with a Christian worldview framework.
• Follow APA 7th edition formatting (title page, headers, citations, reference list).
• Submit the paper as a Microsoft Word document (.docx) via Canvas by Sunday 11:59 p.m. (ET) of Module/Week 6.

Evaluation Criteria (Grading Rubric)

1. Philosophical Depth (30%) — demonstrates engagement with both classical and contemporary theories, articulating nuanced ethical reasoning.
2. Integration of Christian Perspective (25%) — incorporates biblical or theological insights relevant to moral analysis.
3. Scholarly Support (20%) — employs credible academic sources with precise citations.
4. Organization and Argumentation (15%) — maintains logical flow, coherence, and clarity in structure and writing style.
5. Mechanics and Formatting (10%) — adheres to APA style; minimal grammatical or typographical errors.

Submission Format

Title page, abstract (150–200 words), main body (1,500–2,000 words), reference list (APA 7th ed.).

Ethical inquiry into modern technology requires grounding in classical philosophy while addressing contemporary realities. Kant’s emphasis on duty illuminates moral accountability in AI design, whereas virtue ethics stresses the cultivation of responsible innovation. Integrating these frameworks under a Christian worldview allows for moral discernment amid accelerating technological change.

Works Cited

• Crisp, R. (2019). Aristotelian virtue ethics and modern moral theory. Philosophical Studies, 176(8), 2139–2158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-018-1130-2

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• Jenkins, W. (2021). The moral imagination and environmental ethics in Christian theology. Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, 41(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.5840/jsce20214112

• Snow, N. E. (2020). Virtue ethics and contemporary moral psychology. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 23(3), 517–531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-020-10090-y

• O’Donovan, O. (2023). The retrieval of virtue in Christian ethics. Studies in Christian Ethics, 36(4), 367–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/09539468231124528

• Vallor, S. (2018). Technology and the virtues: A philosophical guide to a future worth wanting. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190498511.001.0001