Philosophy 355/455	Contemporary Moral Problems	Fall 1999	Darwall

FIRST PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Select one of the topics below and write a 1000 to 1500 word essay.  Your papers 
will be due at the beginning of lecture on Thursday, October 7.  Bear in mind that the 
virtues of a philosophy paper are clarity, depth of analysis and critical questioning, 
judicious consideration of  arguments, and logical organization.  Be sensitive to such 
questions as:  Are my claims clear?  Are my arguments clear?  Am I being fair to 
opposing views and adequately appreciative of what might be said in response to my 
claims and arguments.  Your papers should engage the readings by taking account of 
specific claims and arguments (and locating them in the text with specific references).  
        A helpful source of advice on writing philosophy papers can be found at 
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/philosophy/howto.html.

1. Write an essay in which you clarify exactly what is at issue between Peter Singer and 
Carl Cohen.  Where do they agree and disagree, both in their fundamental principles 
and in their policy prescriptions?  What arguments do they give for their respective 
positions?  Take a specific issue regarding the treatment of animals that you find 
genuinely problematic (and present it in such a way that you give your reader a sense 
of what you find problematic about it).  Then analyze this issue from the perspectives 
of Singer and Cohen, respectively.  Critically evaluate these analyses and say which 
you find more persuasive and why.

2. Write a critical essay on the Animal Welfare Act (you can find this on the web at 
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm#L1), evaluating it from the 
perspectives of either Singer or Regan and either Cohen or Carruthers.  Present these 
in a way that critically assesses their respective arguments for their positions.  Where 
do you agree with these analytical perspectives and where not and why?  What do 
you think the law should be in this area and why?

3. Write a critical essay on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Animals (B, 100-
101), evaluating it from the perspectives of either Singer or Regan and either Cohen 
or Carruthers.  Present these in a way that critically assesses their respective 
arguments for their positions.  Where do you agree with these analytical perspectives 
and where not and why?  What do you think the moral principles should be in this 
area and why?

4. Write a critical essay on the American Psychological Associations Guidelines for 
Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals (you can find this on the web at 
http://www.apa.org/science/anguide.html), evaluating it from the perspectives of 
either Singer or Regan and either Cohen or Carruthers.  Present these in a way that 
critically assesses their respective arguments for their positions.  Where do you agree 
with these analytical perspectives and where not and why?  What do you think ethical 
standards for experimentation should be in this area and why?