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Assignment Overview
Having reviewed the content for this unit, students will make an online submission of their response to one of the assignment topics below.
- The assignment is to be 2 pages in length (approx. 350 words per page) using standard 12″ font size with 1.5 spacing.
- You may use bullet lists sparingly for only part of your essay. Any late assignments will receive partial credit and must be turned in before advancing to the next week.
- If you have any problems with submission call the student help line in Canvas from the global menu on the bottom left.
Topics & Prompts
Consider the following situation: You are an army officer who has just captured an enemy soldier who knows where a secret time bomb has been planted. Unless defused, the bomb will explode, killing thousands of people. Discuss this problem and some of the prompts below in light of utilitarian and deontological theories.
- Would it be morally permissible to torture the soldier to get him to reveal the bomb’s location?
- Suppose you have also captured the prisoner’s children. Would it be morally permissible to torture them to get him to reveal the bomb’s location?
- What principles could the Utilitarian and the Deontologist appeal to in determining to do the right thing?
