Assignment title: Information
Assignment 2 Ethical analysis of news issue
Due:21 April 2017 11.00 PM
Length:1500 words maximum
Weighting:30%
Submission:You must follow the same instructions as for assignment 1. Remember
that an assignment which has a TurnitinOriginality
Report which shows a text match of more
than 10% is notconsidered submitted and will notbe
accepted.
You are required to select an ethical issue which has been reported in the news media
in the past 12 months. Collect one recent (2016 or 2017) news article which identifies
the issue, and perform further research to collect relevant background information and
facts, to enable you to answer each question listed below.
This ethical issue must be different from the issue which you analysed in
Assignment 1.
You must provide a full reference for all sources of information you have used to
inform your research. Provide separate answers to each of parts ‘a to e’ of this
assessment under separate sections:
a.Clearly define the ethical question/problem and provide a brief explanation as to
why it is important. (3marks)
b.Identify facts and key assumptions which are relevant to your analysis of the
ethical problem. (6 marks)
c.Analyse the ethical problem using act utilitarianism, identifying all relevant
consequences. Compare negative versus positive consequences and assess
whether net utility will rise or fall as a result of the ethical act being examined. (8
marks)
d.Apply Kant’s categorical imperative by defining the rule that authorises the act
central to the ethical problemyou have chosen. Discuss whether this rule can be
applied universally. (8 marks)
e.Provide a conclusion comparing results in parts c & d above identifying whether
your ethical conclusion equates with your conscience with regards this problem.
(5 marks)
You do not need to provide a copy of the news article but you must provide full
references of all articles and other sources you have used to inform your ethical
analysis.Note regarding references: Wikipedia (or equivalent) is not an acceptable reference
for any assessments in this unit. Use the Harvard referencing system (or a suitable
alternative) for all assignments in this unit.