- Choose one of the four templates, Markkula- APA or MLA, or Brown – APA or MLA, and follow directions. The information below offers an elaboration on these directions.
- In a section titled "Theories" identify between 1 and 3 moral theories you will use to build your compass (deontological, utilitarian, common good, virtue, etc.) along with a short, documented definition for each theory. The definition should be in your own words. As citations are NOT just for quotations, be sure to give your resources proper credit with citations.
- In a section titled "Explanation" explain for each theory how it would help you make what you feel would be the right decision and in what situations (e.g. Using deontology at work to ensure the company’s policies are kept and its reputation is upheld; Using care ethics at home as a way to be equitable with the kids, etc.).
- In a third section titled “Compass Applied” choose one topic from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (under “Ethics Spotlight”) or another pressing ethical situation you or others you know are facing at the moment. It must be a legitimate moral conundrum like keeping a secret about a cheating spouse, cheating on a spouse or being an accessory to a crime. You can also pick a current event like the possibility of electing a convicted felon as president, busing illegal immigrants from Texas to other states without their permission, or passing laws that allow teens to work longer hours and in dangerous situations. Then using either Framework for Ethical Decision Making (Markkula or Brown), walk through the steps to make an ethical decision and justify what you decide is the moral action to take in this situation. USE the template and DO NOT delete the section headings.
- Be sure to be clear on which of the two frameworks you are using (which is easy if you use a template). Be sure you are clear on what you are doing. Use the attached templates to address this assignment. The content is the same, but the formatting on each is different.
APA Moral Compass Template – Markkula.docx
2
2
[Feel free to use your own snappy title]
My Moral Compass
Student Name
American Public University
PHIL 200
Faculty Member
Date
Theories:
In this section discuss one, two, or three theories you feel you will use in your compass. Be sure to cite your resources and include the reference on the Works Cited page
Explanation:
Here is where you explain how the theories will guide your behavior in various settings.
Compass Applied:
Issue identified:
Here talk about which of the issues you want to analyze. Example, Election Ethics or Systemic Racism.
Identify the ethical issues:
Based on the contents of “What is Ethics?” and other material, briefly explain why this is an ethical issue.
Get the facts
Within reason, briefly discuss what you feel are the relevant facts. Be sure you can back up assertions with scholarly sources. Discuss relevant stakeholders.
Evaluate alternative actions:
Discuss which lens aligns with your compass and how it will help you find a solution. If you say your compass is Utilitarian and The Common Good, what direction do those lenses provide here?
Choose an option:
What do you feel your compass points you to as the best solution? If possible explain how you will be able to identify success.
Based on all you have learned, discuss what you believe the outcome will be if you implement the option stated above.
References
Note- references should be in alphabetic order.
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.(n.d.). “A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions.” Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/
Delete the one not used and add any additional resources
For electronic resources, the rules changed in the 2019 edition. The “retrieved on date” has been eliminated for most sources. If a DOI is listed, use that instead of the URL. For more, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_electronic_sources.html
[Note, per APA, you cannot have a reference unless you first have a citation in the body of the paper demonstrating where and that you used the source.]
For more on APA, references see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
MLA Moral Compass Template – Markkula.docx
Student 1
Soup R. Student
Professor Steve Wyre
PHIL 200
7 June 2018
In this section discuss one, two, or three theories you feel you will use in your compass. Be sure to cite your resources and include the reference on the Works Cited page
Explanation:
Here is where you explain how the theories will guide your behavior in various settings.
Compass Applied:
Issue identified:
Here talk about which of the issues you want to analyze. Example, Election Ethics or Systemic Racism.
Based on the contents of “What is Ethics?” and other material, briefly explain why this is an ethical issue.
Get the facts
Within reason, briefly discuss what you feel are the relevant facts. Be sure you can back up assertions with scholarly sources. Discuss relevant stakeholders.
Evaluate alternative actions:
Discuss which lens aligns with your compass and how it will help you find a solution. If you say your compass is Utilitarian and The Common Good, what direction do those lenses provide here?
Choose an option:
What do you feel your compass points you to as the best solution? If possible explain how you will be able to identify success.
Based on all you have learned, describe what you feel the outcome will be if you implement the stated option.
Works Cited
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. “A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions.” Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/ Accessed day month year.
Delete the one not used and add any additional resources
Here is a link for basics on Works Cited entries https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/
APA Moral Compass Template – Brown (2).docx
2
2
[Feel free to use your own snappy title]
My Moral Compass
Student Name
American Public University
PHIL 200
Faculty Member
Date
Theories:
In this section discuss one, two, or three theories you feel you will use in your compass. Be sure to cite your resources and include the reference on the Works Cited page
Explanation:
Here is where you explain how the theories will guide your behavior in various settings.
Compass Applied:
Recognizing an ethical issue:
Here you will discuss the issue identified from Markkula but address why it is considered an ethical issue. See the information in this section on the Brown site.]
Considering the parties involved:
Within reason, identify the parties involved, and stakeholders, who might be affected by the issue or final decision.
Relevant information:
Within reason, briefly relate relevant information. Be sure to document sources.
Actions and Alternatives:
Based on your compass, what approach should you take with this issue? If you chose Utilitarian and The Common Good, what action would each of those approaches direct you to take?
Make a decision:
While some speculation is needed, what action does our compass lead you to take, which approach is best? Try to explain why it is a better approach than some other approaches.
Reflect on the outcome:
Based on all you have learned, discuss what you believe the outcome will be if you implement the option stated above.
References
Note- references should be in alphabetic order.
Brown University. (n.d.). “A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions.” Brown University https://sts.brown.edu/events/events-archive/making-choices/framework-making-ethical-decisions
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.(n.d.). “A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions.” Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/
Delete the one not used and add any additional resources
For electronic resources, the rules changed in the 2019 edition. The “retrieved on date” has been eliminated for most sources. If a DOI is listed, use that instead of the URL. For more, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_electronic_sources.html
[Note, per APA, you cannot have a reference unless you first have a citation in the body of the paper demonstrating where and that you used the source.]
For more on APA, references see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
MLA Moral Compass Template – Brown (2).docx
Student 1
Soup R. Student
Professor Steve Wyre
PHIL 200
7 June 2018
In this section discuss one, two, or three theories you feel you will use in your compass. Be sure to cite your resources and include the reference on the Works Cited page
Explanation:
Here is where you explain how the theories will guide your behavior in various settings.
Compass Applied:
Issue identified:
Here talk about which of the issues you want to analyze. Example, Election Ethics or Systemic Racism.
Recognizing an ethical issue:
Here you will discuss the issue identified from Markkula but address why it is considered an ethical issue. See the information in this section on the Brown site.]
Considering the parties involved:
Within reason, identify the parties involved, and stakeholders, who might be affected by the issue or final decision.
Relevant information: by looking at the various “Approaches”
Within reason, briefly relate relevant information. For example, the Utilitarian Approach or Rights Approach or Justice Approach. Be sure to document sources.
Actions and Alternatives:
Based on your compass, what approach should you take with this issue? If you chose Utilitarian and The Common Good, what action would each of those approaches direct you to take?
Make a decision:
While some speculation is needed, what action does our compass lead you to take, which approach is best? Try to explain why it is a better approach than some other approaches.
Reflect on the outcome
Based on all you have learned, describe what you feel the outcome will be if you implement the stated option.
Works Cited
Brown University. “A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions.” Brown University https://sts.brown.edu/events/events-archive/making-choices/framework-making-ethical-decisions Accessed day month year.
Delete the one not used and add any additional resources
Here is a link for basics on Works Cited entries https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/