Assignment
This essay will consist of two sections, which may contain multiple paragraphs each. Use Bolded Section Headings to separate these sections.
Section 1: Summary
Briefly summarize Peter Singer’s “shallow pond” thought experiment from Famine, Affluence, and MoralityLinks to an external site. in your own words. (Do not merely quote it; by summarizing the case in your own words, you will demonstrate you understand the case and can pick out the morally salient features of the case.)
In a separate paragraph explain what Peter Singer thinks this thought experiment shows and why. How does Singer think people should react in this situation? (The primary goal of a moral thought experiment is to test the reader’s moral intuitions. To that end make sure it’s in a separate paragraph than any discussion about thought experiment so as to avoid biasing your reader.)
Section 2: Analysis
Evaluate Peter Singer’s “shallow pond” thought experiment using your personal, pre-theoretical commonsense moral intuitions.
A moral intuition is a moral belief or feeling that you have when you think about a moral issue. Think of moral intuitions as moral sense data, not unlike sights, sounds, or tastes. When people experience or think about thought experiments, examples, and cases, they naturally come to have moral intuitions about it, judging it to be morally desirable or undesirable. Sometimes moral intuitions can be difficult to explain or describe; other times they’re very easy to explain.
Singer is pretty clear about how he thinks people should behave in the “shallow pond” case; but what do your moral intuitions say? Explain whether you share the same intuitions Singer does, or whether you disagree and why. You may use your own examples, thought experiments, and experience to support your position.
Note: If your paper includes a discussion inspired by an external source (other than our assigned readings), include a References page that cites that source. (Quoting an external source, or borrowing from an external source without a reference will count as plagiarism, so make sure to cite your sources!)
| Essay Rubric | ||
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| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
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Essay Rubric
view longer description
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50 to >45 pts
A
Student follows assignment instructions and demonstrates an understanding of the theories, arguments, thought experiments, or examples relevant to essay instructions. Assignment is clearly written and well organized. 45 to >40 pts
B
Student follows assignment instructions and demonstrates a partial understanding of the theories, arguments, thought experiments, or examples relevant to essay instructions. 40 to >35 pts
C
Student follows most assignment instructions and demonstrates a partial understanding of the theories, arguments, thought experiments, or examples relevant to essay instructions. 35 to >30 pts
D
Major portions of assignment are incomplete or missing OR student fails to demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical topic at hand. 30 to >0 pts
F
Missing or inaccurate content. |
/ 50 pts
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| Total Points: 0 |