A Hellenistic Approach to a Modern-Day Challenge
1. Choose a problem we are dealing with in the present (Examples: the pandemic, war, poverty…).
2. Use one of the philosophers from this module and provide a possible approach toward dealing with the problem.
3. Make sure you use at least three academic references to justify your claims and ideas.
4. Your final work should be four pages long: including a cover page, two pages of content, and one reference page.
Prompt:
- Choose a contemporary problem.
- Apply a philosopher's perspective to address it.
- Use at least three academic references.
- Create a four-page paper (including cover page, content, and references).
- Title: Kant and Climate Change: A Deontological Imperative
- Your Name
- Course Name
- Date
- Briefly introduce climate change as a pressing global issue.
- Present Immanuel Kant as the chosen philosopher.
- State the thesis clearly.
- Explain the core principles of Kant's deontological ethics (duty, categorical imperative, universalizability).
- Demonstrate how these principles can be applied to climate change.
- Discuss the concept of "duty to future generations" as a Kantian imperative.
- Analyze the implications of universalizing climate-friendly actions.
- Summarize the main arguments.
- Emphasize the potential of Kantian ethics in motivating climate action.
- Acknowledge limitations and suggest further exploration.
- List at least three academic sources to support your arguments.
- Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. (Translation)
- Gardiner, S. M. (2004). Ethics and global climate change. Oxford University Press.
- Barry, B. (1999). Sustainability and the commons: Towards a new politics of the environment. Earthscan Publications.
- Ensure clear and concise writing.
- Use evidence from the philosopher's works to support your claims.
- Consider counterarguments and address them effectively.
- Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors.