Reflection on Human Nature

Due Date: Wednesday, October 28^th to be handed in in class

*Emailed copies will not be accepted. Late papers will not be accepted.

Requirements:

                1.5 - 3 pages

                Double Spaced

                Typed and printed out (hard copy is required)
                Font size 12, Times New Roman

These essays will be graded on the depth of reflection that was put into them. I will be primarily concerned with the quality of your thoughts and your argument rather than the style of your writing (although please be attentive to that as well.) Be sure to focus on giving reasons for your beliefs and demonstrating them with examples of some sort.

Choose from one of the following prompts:

1) In the modern world, it has been argued that certain human lives are detrimental to the good of society and hence are expendable. This can be seen in the eugenics movement, abortion, unbridled capitalism, and social Darwinism, among others. Is there any truth to this statement? By contrast, if the value of human life isn’t judged by its usefulness, what in your judgment makes human life valuable? Explain your reasoning.

2) Every day, roughly 795 million people around the world go hungry. Does anyone have an obligation to help those who are hungry? Do you have an obligation to help? If so, in what way? Explain your reasoning.

3) Imagine you are free to do whatever you wanted; no person and no law is stopping you. Left to do whatever you want would you still choose to do good or would you choose evil? How would people around you choose to behave? Explain your reasoning.