Jokyu Ethics, 2015: Notes for Short Paper

The purpose of the homework
I have given you this homework for two reasons: a) to give you a chance to show me how well you have mastered the skill of academic writing, and b) to encourage you to think about how ordinary people should act in complex situations that involve ideas of "right" and "wrong". How important are "rules" about right and wrong? How important are the consequences of a decision and/or the nature of the situation involving the decision?

The task
Either A: choose an action or attitude that is normally regarded as "wrong" for ethical reasons, and answer the question "Is it ever right to....?", giving reasons for your answer. Lying is probably a good topic to focus on, but you are free to make your own choice.
Or B: go to Charis Denison's The Daily Dilemma Archive. Choose one of the following dilemmas and explain your response to it.
2 (explained in more detail here); 4 (explained in more detail here); 23 (explained in more detail here), and 25 (explained in more detail here).
Note: I will evaluate the quality of your analysis, not your ethical standards!

Details
1. You do not need to do any research. You can answer on the basis of your own experience and opinions. However, you must use logic rather than emotion in your arguments. If you do some research to help you to answer, please list your sources at the end.
2. Please write at least three paragraphs (introduction (in which you introduce the action/attitude or dilemma) + at least one body paragraph (in which you explain the ethical issue(s) involved and give an anwer/or possible answers, with reasons) + conclusion (in which you summarize your main points)..
3. Please follow the principles of academic writing that you learnt in Study Skills and use the essay checklist. You can also look at my page entitled "Some basics of academic writing". In particular, remember to a) brainstorm and make a plan before you start writing, and b) revise and rewrite your first draft at least once before you bring it to class.
4. To show that you are writing "objectively", use "I" etc. as little as possible.
5. If you have any problems, do not hesitate to ask me.

Deadlines: Please bring your plan to Class 4 for peer review, and your first draft to Class 6 for the same purpose.