Phil 1300E 2008-2009
Introduction to Philosophy
Third Essay Assignment
Write an essay on either Topic 1 or Topic 2 (be sure to respond to every part of the question):
(Topic 1) Consider the following case:
Tracy Latimer, a 12-year-old victim of cerebral palsy, was killed by her father in 1993. Tracy lived with her family on a prairie farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. On a Sunday morning while his wife and other children were at church, Robert Latimer put Tracy in the cab of his pickup truck and piped in exhaust fumes until she died. At the time of her death, Tracy weighed less than 40 pounds; she was described as “functioning at the mental level of a three-month-old baby.” Mrs. Latimer said that she was relieved to find Tracy dead when she arrived home and added that she “didn’t have the courage” to do it herself.
Mr. Latimer was tried for murder, but the judge and jury did not want to treat him harshly. The jury found him guilty of only second-degree murder and they recommended that the judge ignore the mandatory 25-year sentence. The judge agreed and sentenced him to one year in prison, to be followed by a one-year confinement to his farm. However, the Supreme Court of Canada stepped in and ruled that the mandatory sentence must be imposed. Robert Latimer is now in prison, serving the 25-year term.[1]
Question:
Choose two of Kant, Bentham or Aristotle and compare how both theories would evaluate Robert Latimer's action. Which evaluation do you think is the most appropriate? Why? (Please consider only the details of the Latimer case provided here. This essay should be a reflection of your analytic skills and your understanding of the ethical theories in question.)
(Topic 2)
In what ways does one's position on free will bear on one's ethics? Discuss with reference to two relevant authors we've discussed this module.
*** Due: Hardcopy to be handed in by all tutorial sections IN CLASS on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH.
Length: 4-5 pages, i.e. approximately 1000-1250 words.
Turnitin: In accordance with the policy of the Department, essays must be submitted to turnitin.com.
Late Penalties: Essays (either the hard copy or the Turnitin submission) which are late will receive a 3% penalty per calendar day. Extensions will not be granted without serious cause.
Format: Print your essays double-sided and do not include a title page. Be sure to staple your essays. Include on the first page your name, student number, and tutorial section. Do not submit your essays in folders. Use 12-point font, standard margins, and page numbers. Double-space your essay, and do not put an extra line-space between paragraphs.
The papers will be graded according to the following criteria:
UNDERSTANDING: How well do you explain and make judicious use of the relevant textbook material? How well do you explain the issues involved?
ARGUMENT: Have you used cogent arguments to support your position? Do the claims you make in different parts of the paper follow from one another and are they consistent?
ORGANIZATION: Is your paper organized, with a plan revealed in the introduction and followed? Does each part of your paper take you closer to establishing your thesis?
CLARITY: Is your position clear, with an explicitly articulated thesis, and is your paper clearly written overall? Could another student at the same level who is not enrolled in the course understand the paper? Does your paper answer the question asked?
STYLE: Does your paper use correct grammar and syntax? Have you followed the guidelines for proper format? Have you cited your sources where necessary, following a recognized style?
[1] James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2003, p. 8. (N.B. Robert Latimer won an appeal and was released from prison in March 2008, and is now serving day parole.)