Essay Instructions: 1. Use Mla style parenthetical reference throughout paper.
2. 5 academic sources/books or academic periodicals and websites.
3. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the Bible do not count as sources for essays.
4. At the end of each essay, include a Works Cited page that is constructed according to MLA style.
THEME OF PAPER:
Bearing in mind Thomas Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence that: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principals, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness,
HOW DOES THE 1973 DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT IN ROE VS. WADE SQUARES WITH THE JEFFERSONIAN SENTIMENT REGARDING MEN'S INALIENABLE RIGHTS? HOW WOULD BOTH SIDES OF THE ABORTION DEBATE ARGUE THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS IN LIGHT OF THE AFOREMENTIONED VIEW OF MEN'S RIGHTS?
Let your first paragraph explain the point of contention that is your topic (aborition). You might state that some disagreement on you topic exists (PRO LIFE)/(PRO CHOICE), a quotation from a source might be useful here, and then give details by briefly explaining the various sides of the argument. Be sure to CLEARLY DEFINE YOUR TOPIC. Your first paragraph needs state your thesis, which means that you need state your position on the issue.
Let the next part of your paper present arguments for and against the issue. State each argument one at a time and give the counterargument (opposing side's criticism) for each one. This is the part of the paper where you tell what the opposing side would say is wrong.
Next present the opposing side's arguments. Again, state each argument one at a time and givethe counterargument for each one. This is the part of the paper where you tell what the first side would say is wrong with these arguments.
In the following part, you will evaluate the arguments, decide which side is stronger and tell why that side's arguments are stronger. REMEMBER THAT YOUR OPINIONS DO NOT BELONG HERE. Evaluate the arguments as an abjective observer. Do not allow your emotions to sabotage your evaluation process.
Let the last paragraph state your decision. You might begin your conclusion by briefly stating some key assertion made by the opposing side and then shooting it down with a brief statement of the stronger arguments of your side.
THE FIVE PARTS OF A PAPER IN MORAL PHILOSPHY:
1. INTRODUCTION
A. statement of thesis
B. explanation of thesis
2. Presentation of arguments that support the thesis
3. Presentation of objections to the thesis
4. Response to the objections to the thesis
5. CONCLUSION
a. restatement of the thesis
b. summary of the argument
6. WORKS CITED
Choose the strongest arguments. Some things to think about. How do we determine the humanity of a fetus? What is the definition of a person? Moral choices involve the freedom of choice. How do you determine the humanity of a being? Fetal personhoood. Viability, the capacity to survive disconnection from the placenta. Look at the Lacy Peterson trial because it involves her and her unborn infant. Look at teen pregnancy and rape. The rights and autonomy of the mother. Include Judith Jarvis Thompson's and John T. Noonan, Jr.'s arguments (good starting point).
Some possible research sites: Abortion and the Sancity of Human Life; A Philosophical View. Judith Boss, Pro-Child, Pro-Choice; An exercise in Doublethink? Public Affairs Quaraterly. Journal of Applied Philosophy, Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, www.rdn.ac.uk, www.epistemelinks.com, www.humanities.ccny.cuny.edu/history/reader/hippoath.htm, www.prochoice.about.com/newsissues/prochice/library/blnumillnchs.htm, www.gallup.com/poll/indicators/indabortion.asp, wwwvirtuallibrayr:philosophy(www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Philosophy/VL), www.routledge.com/philosophy/rprcmain.html, database NetFirst, Philosophy:A Guide to the Reference Literature by Hans Bynagle, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy(www.utm.edu/research/iep)...those are some suggestions for research.